Fall is here and winter is around the corner. With the dropping temperatures comes the inevitable increase in energy bills. It isn’t something many homeowners prepare for. But there are several things you can do to prepare your home for the cold weather and cut back on high energy usage. From bundling up to getting window repairs in Skokie, IL, here are seven things you can do to get started:  

1. Bundle Up with Warm Accessories

Instead of bumping up the thermostat every time you feel a chill, opt for a pullover, warm socks, or a cozy blanket. It is one of the easiest ways you can reduce your heating bill.   

2. Choose Plush, Comfortable, InsulatingDécor 

Put your home decor to good use this winter. Find a plush rug to help insulate your hardwood floor. Fill the couch and chairs with down pillows. Decorate with thick curtains and drapes. Add throw blankets to your couch or store them in a nearby basket. These can work as both accents for your home, but also cozy insulation against the cold.   

3. Use Sunlight for Free Heat

During the colder months, it is important to capitalize on the radiant heat from the sun. Open the blinds and curtains on your south-facing windows throughout the day. This will allow the sun to shine through and warm the surfaces of your home, creating radiant heat until the sun goes down.   

4. Reverse the Ceiling Fans

In the summer, ceiling fans are meant to quickly cool the warm air gathering at the pinnacle of the home and circulate it back through the home. But if you put ceiling fans in reverse and run them on low, they can gently push that warm air back down into the living space. And with strategic airflow, the furnace won’t have to do as much work.   

5. Keep the Furnace Clear

Speaking of the furnace, you want to be sure to have your HVAC system serviced before the first cold snap of the year. You also want to keep the vents clear and maintained, replace the air filters, and clear any clutter away from the furnace room. This will improve airflow and help your system run at peak efficiency.   

6. Only Use Exhaust Fans on Occasion

Once you are in the habit if using exhaust fans while you cook or shower it can be tough to break. But in the winter exhaust fans pull any hot, humid air right out of the home and it gets replaced by cold, dry outside air leaching through the cracks around windows and doors. So remember to use these fans sparingly and allow that hot, humid air to disperse throughout the home.   

7. Repair Drafty Windows

Window leaks are a huge insulation problem, especially if you have older windows. If you have air leaks or notice condensation forming between the panes, you are literally sending money right out the window. You need to repair your windows, sealing the cracks around the frame and replacing any broken glass to reduce air and moisture infiltration.   

If you need help with window repair in Skokie, IL call the experts at Scientific Home Services. We can come and perform an evaluation of your windows and offer the best solutions to improve the efficiency of your home this winter. Visit us at 7240 Saint Louis Ave., Skokie, IL 60076 or call (847) 752-0370 to schedule a consultation.