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5 Cost-Effective Measures for Heating Your Pittsburgh Home This Winter

3 min read

Keeping your home warm during Pittsburgh’s cold winters can get expensive, especially if you live in an older house where insulation and sealing might not be up to par. Small gaps or worn-out exterior features may seem minor but can lead to significant energy loss and rising heating costs over time. Wondering how to save money on your heating bill during winter or how to decrease heating costs? With these cost-effective strategies, you’ll discover practical ways to keep your home cozy and your energy bills in check all season long.

Seal Any Leaks

Identifying and repairing any sources of heat loss in your home can dramatically change your monthly utility costs. Gaps in windows and doors or around pipes and wiring in your attic are just two of the major contributors to heat loss.

Signs Your Home May Have Gaps or Leaks:

Here are some common indicators to watch for:

Using correct weatherstripping and caulking techniques and conducting seasonal inspections of your home will help you to keep heat inside your home and lower your energy costs. 

Install Programmable Thermostats

digital thermostat on home wall

Programmable thermostats, also known as clock thermostats, allow you to adjust the temperature of your home based on a programmed schedule or cycle. While you’re at work, running errands or away on a trip, you can set the thermostat to a cooler temperature to avoid heating an empty house. It may take some time to determine what temperature schedule is best for your home, but once perfected, programmable thermostats save energy—and dollars! 

Conduct Heating System Maintenance 

Regardless of your HVAC system, routine maintenance should be completed at least once a year. In doing so, any necessary repairs will be completed before temperatures drop, keeping your system running efficiently. Changing filters, clearing debris from vents and cleaning outdoor units can be done on your own, but an HVAC professional should be called for repairs, advanced maintenance or replacements. 

Try Zone Heating

Zone heating enables you to section your home and heat it accordingly via dampers. Dampers are plates or valves that control the flow of air and heat throughout your home; for a zoned heating system, those decisions are made by thermostats placed in each zone or section of your home. If your home’s central system creates hot or cold spots, zoned heating will allow for more consistent heating throughout your home. 

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors 

White awning windows letting natural light into sitting room

As we mentioned before, outdated or damaged windows and doors drain heat from your home, leaving you vulnerable to that chilly Pennsylvania winter air. If your heat is escaping through a warped frame, cracked glass or improper installation, you could lose anywhere between 25%–30% of heating and cooling energy. Drafty windows and doors don’t improve with time, so addressing the problem as soon as possible is a critical step in preventing your energy costs from skyrocketing. 

Save More with Window World of Pittsburgh

Keep your home comfortable all year long with custom replacement windows from Window World of Pittsburgh. Increase your home’s energy efficiency and shave dollars off of your monthly utility bill when you get started with our team today!