The Home Heating Upgrades You Haven’t Heard of To Save Money This Winter
Written by
Martin Dasko
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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According to the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association (NEADA), American households were expected to spend $995 on heating this winter, up $84 from the previous year. The report also estimated that one in six American households was already behind on their utility bills, owing a combined amount of $23 billion.
The harsh reality is that there isn’t much Americans can do to reduce energy costs across the board. However, the good news is that there are still ways you can keep your electrical bill at a reasonable rate. This is why GOBankingRates consulted with experts to discover the home heating upgrades that help you save money this winter.
Replace Your Garage Door
Alan Bernau Jr., a garage expert and owner of Alan’s Factory Outlet, recommends checking your attached garage door.
“That uninsulated garage door plus all the air leaks between your garage and house essentially invites cold air into your home,” he advised. You could be unknowingly letting large amounts of cold air into your home.
Installing a new insulated steel garage door, which he noted is generally priced between $1,500 and $3,500 when professionally installed, will significantly reduce heat loss through the largest opening directly connected to your home.
Solar Walls and Solar Air Heater
Ben Mizes, a licensed real estate agent and co-founder of Clever Offers, noted that solar walls and solar air heaters are uncommon but can be effective in cold and sunny climates. You can spend between $2,000 and $5,000, and they’ll help reduce some heating needs during the daytime.
Seal Any Obvious Leaks
Bernau recommends hiring someone to seal any air leaks between your garage and home, including doors and windows. He noted that you may have to spend anywhere from $500 to $1,500 on this, but you’ll block the flow of cold air.
Mizes added that improved insulation is the most effective way to reduce your heating bill this winter. He found that full insulation of your home can cost between $1,000 and $3,500, but it will reduce heat loss.
As always, it’s recommended that you inquire with your local utility company about a home energy audit so an inspector can recommend energy-efficiency upgrades and investigate where any cold air might be leaking into your home.
Heat Pumps
Mizes believes that this is the most cost-effective long-term investment. Installation costs are typically between $6,000 and $12,000. In his experience, many homeowners see heating costs drop by 30% to 50%, especially for homes that currently rely on oil heating or electric resistance heat.
High-Efficiency Furnaces or Boilers
Upgrading to a modern system costs between $4,000 and $8,000, but often reduces heating bills by 15% to 25%. While this is on the more expensive end, it’s a viable long-term solution.
Smart Thermostats
While a smart thermostat isn’t uncommon, it’s on this list because it’s the least expensive upgrade option. Mizes pointed out that smart thermostats cost $150 to $400 and reduce heating costs by 10% to 12%.
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