7 Tips to lower your heating bill

Residents in Vancouver are often grateful for experiencing a milder version of the Canadian winter. Even so, an ambient home can prove to be a subjective topic. As we bid farewell to fall and temperatures across the province start to drop, it’s safe to assume that squabbles around the thermostat are to ensue. But what is not so subjective? You guessed it…heating bills!

With the current climate around COVID19, we expect less travel and a lot more time to be spent indoors during this season. Here are some easy to implement tips from the team at Sycamore Property Management that can help reduce and maintain heating costs for both landlords and tenants alike.

When one door closes.
Closing all the doors and windows in the house ensures that heat is trapped in your rooms, which would mean that less energy will be used in maintaining the warmth of your home. Simple steps that can be put into practice at your property are:

– Placing a mat at the bottom of doors to prevent heat from escaping or cold air from entering.
– When starting a conversation with someone, either invite them in or step outside closing the door behind you promptly.
– Use basic weather stripping available at your local hardware store around doors and windows to prevent further heat loss.

Getting fired Up.
A fireplace can add a cozy and inviting feel to any room. However, when lit, they can draw heat from any space right up through the chimney. An easy solution to this is, when your fireplace is operating, turn down your main thermostat and adjust the damper (if applicable) when not in use to slow the rate at which heated air escapes.

The winter wardrobe.
Did you know that setting your thermostat one degree lower can actually cut your energy bill by 3% and setting it 3 degrees lower can save you up to 10%? A cost-effective method of ensuring these savings are possible involves the simple act of putting on a pair of socks, pajamas or even that cable knit your aunt so thoughtfully made for you last Christmas.

Don’t get exhausted.
Bathroom fans and oven hoods are key sources of energy loss during the winter months. Using exhaust fans only when needed and shutting them off as soon as you are done can go a long way to reducing energy bills during those colder months. 

Is your refrigerator running? 
Did you know that the condenser coils at the back or bottom of your fridge are required to be cleaned regularly and can contribute to a higher energy bill? Dirt, food, pet hair, and all that other unwanted stuff that gets lodged under your fridge causes it to work harder to stay cool. A vacuum, coil brush, and some elbow grease are recommended to easily remedy this.

Adjust your temperature.
Ensuring that your thermostat is set to the lowest comfortable temperature across the home and is turned down at least 10 or 15 degrees when you away or asleep can save you a significant amount on your energy bills. A programmable or smart thermostat is recommended to make the process both convenient and efficient.

Out with the old and in with the LED.
Winter is a good time to switch over to LED lighting. They use at least 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and provide you with a massive saving on energy bills during the winter. This applies to all your holiday lights as well.

At Sycamore Property Management, we are always looking for ways to improve the lives of our clients and tenants. We hope that these easy to implement energy tips go a long way towards ensuring your comfort, saving you money and help us all be better friends to the planet. We wish you all a safe and healthy winter.