How to save money and heat this winter

Homeowners who want to save money on heating bills this winter can do it by changing some habits and a few home improvements, but will pay off over the long term.
Some other ways to have a lower heating bill include installing a programmable thermostat and setting it to lower heat at night and when you are away. Furnace efficiency can also be improved by

checking the air filter every four weeks. They should be cleaned or replaced as required, according to the Ministry of Energy.
Most Canadians said that they set their home temperature between 20C and 22C during the time of the day when they are at home and awake. Average home temperature was generally kept

between 16°C and 18°C during the time of day when household members were asleep, according to Statistics Canada.
“In my home in the winter time I usually set the temperature to 20C and to save money and energy I turn it even lower when I’m out of the house or sleeping to somewhere around 15C”, said

Windsorite Siera Vanhorn, 25. “Sometimes even when I am home I’ll keep the tempter at 15C but just dress warm in the house.”
Craig Goettler, the general manager of Boonstras Heating and Air Conditioning discussed the benefits of preventative maintenance for your furnace and why it is important to have an expert take

care of it.
“A maintenance inspection includes cleaning the furnace, changing the filter, checking for leaks and unhealthy gases and ensuring that everything is operational. We can also clean the furnace

ducts,” said Goettler. “Regular furnace maintenance is important for safety, reliability and efficiency reasons, having your furnace and heating system in peak operating condition before the

heating season begins saves you time, money and hassle down the road.”
Other than sealing up cracks around doors and windows a good way to keep even more heat inside your home is to roll back the curtains and have the sunlight go through the window, according to

Julia Bensette 19, a Windsorite attending St. Clair College. “I find that it’s almost like a greenhouse effect and you are able to get more heat into your home in a natural energy efficient way,” said Bensette.
Drafts and unwanted air leaks not only make your home uncomfortable, but they can also increase heating costs by around 20 per cent. According to Sustainability Victoria who facilitate and

promote environmental sustainability in the use of resources, minimise heat loss by sealing drafts. You can check for drafts by looking for obvious gaps and listening for rattles or whistling around

doors and windows. As well as around skirting boards and architraves, evaporative cooler outlets, exhaust fans and vents, around external doors and sealing around wall vents.
Smart meters and time-of-use pricing can help you manage your electricity costs. Ontario introduced time-of-use pricing to reflect the costs of producing electricity at different times of the day.

There are three time-of-use periods:
off-peak, when energy demand is low and less expensive sources of electricity are used. Mid-peak, when the cost of energy and demand are moderate. on-peak, when demand is highest and more

expensive forms of electricity production are used.
In winter electricity use peaks twice daily, when people get up in the morning and when they come home from work. according to the Ministry of Energy.
For more tips and tricks on how to keep warm and save money this winter go to Ontario’s Winter Energy-Saving Tips.