Tips for Maintaining Your Heating Bill This Winter

These past few weeks have definitely brought on a "chill" in the air. Whether you've already broke down and turned on your furnace or are trying to hold out for as long as possible, we all know it's coming. When the weather does turn cold, you can be prepared to keep you heating bills down with just a few easy tasks. The best real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks have some tips to help you maintain a warm cozy AND efficient home without the expensive heating bill!


Caulk Trim and Baseboards
As you walk through your home, you may feel some obvious drafts in your home that you will need to tend to. But if you inspect things a little closer, you will find some small gaps that are inviting the cold air into your home. A simple trick that will expose these drafts is by simply running your damp finger along the edges of your interior windows and trim. The moistened skin will be very sensitive to the draft and indicate the areas that you need to caulk.

Inspect Doors 
The US Department of Energy claims that as much as 35% of the air leakage in a home comes from small openings in doors, windows and fireplaces. Door sweeps can make a huge difference by closing the gap that is between the bottom of your door and the flooring. Not only is this good for the entry doors but also a good idea for the basement and attic. You can also purchase stick on rubber weather stripping to go around the edges to seal the door and keep the warmth in and the cold out.

Prepare Your Windows 
One of the easiest ways to start saving is to simply make sure all of your windows are locked. By turning the latch, you are forcing the two panels together and removing the 2mm gap that you may not see. If you have older windows, you can apply clear weatherstripping tape along the edges or cover it with window film.

Have Your Furnace Inspected
The last thing you want to happen is to finally decide to turn on the heat only to find out that your furnace isn't functioning properly. Before it gets too cold, make sure to have a professional HVAC specialist come out to inspect your unit and make any necessary repairs. Preventative maintenance is also essential for proper functionality and lower utility bills. Dirty filters cause your furnace to work overtime to heat your home which will cause your heating bill to rise.

By following these simple tips, you'll keep your home warm, and more easily maintain an affordable utility bill all winter long. At eXp Realty, from the moment you start to look for your dream home, to the day you sell it because you need something bigger - we're here for you. Let our team of the best real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks assist you in finding your home, and then keeping it maintained through the years to make sure it's sell ready when you are! Visit our website at www.GotLakeRealEstate.com to learn more about the properties we have available and how we can help you get settled into a Lake of the Ozark home.





2011 REALTOR Salesperson of the Year
Missouri Association of Realtors

752 Bagnell Dam Blvd., Suite A
Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Office | 573.365.1555
Fax | 573.365.1766
Location: Lake Ozark, MO, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 Home Buying Mistakes To Avoid

Image
Buying a home is a very exciting event, but it unfortunately comes with its fair share of pitfalls. Inexperienced home buyers may fall victim to common mistakes that can create added stress and frustration down the road. If you're getting ready to buy your first home at the Lake of the Ozarks , the team at Gattermeir Davidson Real Estate can help you avoid these pitfalls. Mistake #1: Not Getting Preapproved It's very common for first time home buyers to want to jump straight into touring different homes, before talking to a mortgage lender. When they do this, though, home buyers can get their hearts set on a certain property before they know for sure if they will be able to afford it. Do yourself (and your agent) a favor by getting preapproved for a home loan first so you will only visit homes you know you will be able to realistically consider buying. Mistake #2: Spending Beyond Your Means There can be a big difference between the size of loan you can qualify for and...
Read more

Getting To Know Our Key Players: Conda Davidson

Image
Over the years, we've made great strides in becoming the  best real estate team at the Lake of the Ozarks . Along the way we've found success around every corner and have thrived immensely. That success didn't just come out of thin air though. eXp Realty wouldn't be where it is today without the hard work and dedication of our key players. So over the next few weeks we want to pay tribute to them by showcasing them. This week, we're honoring Condo Davidson, Owner/Broker Associate Lake of the Ozarks Realtor ®. You wouldn’t be able to tell at first glance, or even after first meeting her, but Conda Irene Davidson was born and raised in the small, rural town of Purdon, Missouri.  Purdon is where family values, contributing to the community and working hard are the three most important lessons of life. Some thirty years later, and long after Conda left her stomping grounds, she has kept the small town morals close to her heart and built her life and a business empire...
Read more

15 Fun Facts About the Lake of the Ozarks

Image
The Lake of the Ozarks is renowned as the  best place to own a second home in the Midwest . People travel from miles around to soak up some sunshine, break out their fishing rods, get their shopping on, or relax on their  private waterfront docks at the Lake . Despite their love of this great destination, however, many people do not know very much about the Lake of the Ozarks. How was the Lake formed? When was the Lake created? That's why the  eXp Realty  team has put together a list of some of the top fun facts about the Lake of the Ozarks. Who's excited to learn more about this great destination?! 1. Bagnell Dam was completed in 1931, which officially formed the Lake of the Ozarks. 2. At its greatest depth, the Lake of the Ozarks is 130 feet deep. 3. The surface of the Lake covers approximately 61,000 square miles. 4. There are more than 1,150 miles of shoreline along the Lake of the Ozarks - more than the coast of California! 5. Of all people who ...
Read more