My electric bill just arrived, and it's up 35% over last year! What can I do to help my house become more energy efficient in the winter?

Depending on how cold the temperatures go, your electric and gas bills can skyrocket!   If a long cold snap settles in for a two week stay, your monthly bill could jump even higher than 35%.  There are a few things you can do to help.

First, seal up all the possible openings you may have throughout your home with Boss 333 Foam Expanding Sealant.  Cold air coming in makes your heating system work harder, increasing your bills and lowering your ambient temperature.  

Second, change your air filters.  If your system is running more frequently in the winter, the filters become clogged and reduce the airflow and efficiency of the system. 

Changing your filters will provide you with more airflow, cleaner air, and lower energy bills.

Lastly, consider buying a new thermostat.  Getting a programmable, or even better, a WiFi-enabled smart thermostat, will automatically lower the heat when you're asleep or away from your home.  This can save you a tremendous amount on your energy bills.  Even changing your older thermostat to a new digital non-programmable thermostat by Pro1 can help you keep the energy bills lower.

Do not forget to keep all doors and windows shut and sealed when not in use.  You would be surprised how much money can be lost by leaving the door open while talking to a friend, or opening the window for some fresh air and forgetting that it's open when you leave the room. 

Follow these tips and you will see your energy bill drop again soon.