Conserve Energy This Winter

Although we’re having a bit of an Indian Summer here in Pittsburgh, the ever looming threat of a treacherously cold winter is still present. In these parts, though, we’ve become accustomed to dealing with the cold as effectively and efficiently as possible. While we encourage all of our viewers to (at the very least) entertain the possibility of installing a geothermal heat pump system for heating and cooling their homes, we realize that it is not ideal for everyone. So, no matter the nature of your heating system, we’d like to offer three simple tips to those of you who are looking to conserve energy and cut costs this coming winter. Let’s get to it!

1. Embrace the Sun’s Energy

Sometimes we forget that the sun itself provides energy with which we can warm our homes - hence, solar panels. One way to conserve energy during the winter months is to keep your blinds or curtains open during the day, allowing the sun to permeate your windows and heat your home. At night, or when the sun sets, close your curtains to prevent heat from escaping through the windows.

2. Seal The Smallest Cracks

Believe it or not, the smallest cracks can allow plenty of unwanted cold into your home - especially over the course of an entire winter. Make sure to check all of your doors and windows to ensure that these cracks are sealed and no seepage is occurring. If you should find a tiny crack, there are plenty of solutions available at your local hardware store with which you can seal it. The sooner, the better - or, the warmer, rather.

3. Revamp Your Furniture Setup

This might sound a little crazy, so bare with us. This winter, instead of ramping up the heat output on your air conditioning system, consider rearranging your furniture to provide for a warmer home. For instance, if your favorite couch happens to be right beside a large window, consider relocating it so that it’s farther away from a cold source. That’s not too big a request, is it? We arrange our furniture all the time for aesthetic reasons; this is just a variation of that process. And believe us, it does make a difference. Apply this rearrangement with the furniture pieces that you use most often, as this will allow you to feel the effects most frequently.

Again, these are just three small, low-cost steps you can take towards conserving energy this winter. If you have any energy conservation tips for winter that you’d like to share with us, please feel free! We’re eager to hear from you!