As winter wears on, a few cheap and easy fixes can help keep homes warm while saving energy and money. The average household spends about $2,000 a year on utilities, almost half of which goes toward heating and cooling, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (US Environmental Protection Agency via AP)
Check your attic to make sure it has enough insulation, about 10 to 14 inches is recommended. To find a chart detailing recommended depths for specific types of insulation, visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website at http://tinyurl.com/h3t3ja4.As winter wears on, a few cheap and easy fixes can help keep homes warm while saving energy and money.
The average household spends about $2,000 a year on utilities, almost half of which goes toward heating and cooling, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Luckily, a little savvy can go a long way toward reducing heating bills. Here are five ideas from the energy experts:
THINK CLEAN, CLEAR AND EFFICIENT
“Check your furnace filter on a monthly basis. If it’s dirty, it won’t function as efficiently as it could,” says Lauren Urbanek, senior energy policy advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council.