Home Winterization Tips: Conserve Energy & Water
Winters in Delano, Minnesota can be harsh. We may never feel truly ready to face the season’s bitter cold, but we can make sure our homes are. Read on to learn more about home winterization tips, how you can conserve energy and water throughout the cold months, and other easy ways to lower your electric and water bills in winter.
Home Energy Conservation and Preparation for Delano, MN, Residents
Winterize Your Air Conditioner System
Take care of your AC system now to help ensure it will be ready to go when cooling season arrives. Clean and remove any debris from the outdoor condensing unit, and then cover it to avoid rusting, internal freezing, and other potential damage.
Test and Tune Your Heating System
Fire up your furnace to check for any issues now so you can fix them before the serious cold hits. And schedule a tune-up/routine maintenance from a trusted HVAC technician to ensure optimal performance and safety. A professional can check your furnace filters and inspect your system for issues. If your home has a fireplace, have it professionally inspected and serviced as well.
Seal Air Leaks and Drafts Around Doors and Windows
Prevent unwanted heat loss that forces your HVAC system to work harder. Check exterior walls around the home, especially by windows and doors, and seal any cracks, seams, and other air leaks with caulk and weatherstripping. Check out this article for more information on how to fix drafty windows and doors.
Take Advantage of Ceiling Fans
It may sound counterintuitive, but ceiling fans can help increase heating efficiency in the winter. Set them to rotate clockwise at a low speed—this pulls cool air upwards and pushes naturally rising warm air back down where you can feel it.
(Safely) Use Space Heaters
Space heaters allow you to heat up specific, frequently used areas like your home office, as well as drafty or cold spots without paying to heat the whole house. However, they shouldn’t be left unattended, used on uneven surfaces, or in tight spaces near other potentially flammable surfaces. Visit our previous blog post to learn more about how to be safe with space heaters.
Maintain Humidity Levels
Cold winter air holds less moisture than warm air, making it feel colder than it actually is. It also makes the air dry, which can lead to issues like warped and damaged wood, bloody noses, and itchy skin. Using humidifiers will help avoid these problems while also making the air feel warmer, allowing you to set the thermostat a few degrees lower and save energy. The best indoor humidity level in winter is generally between 30–50%, but the right humidity level for your home depends on your comfort level.
Practice Smart Thermostat Management
Rather than simply adjusting the thermostat whenever you feel like it, use these guidelines to help minimize your energy usage:
- Let the home heat up gradually instead of cranking the thermostat. Rather than heating the home quickly, setting the temperature high forces the system to work harder and less efficiently.
- Consider upgrading your thermostat. With programmable thermostats, you can pre-set temperatures for multiple days and let the system run optimally on its own. There are also smart thermostats that learn your preferences after a few days and begin adjusting themselves accordingly.
- Decrease the temperature setting at night and when no one is home. Don’t pay to heat an empty house. Dropping the thermostat 7–10 degrees for 8 hours a day can save you up to 10 percent on annual heating costs. But be sure to go no lower than 50–55 degrees when you’re away and closer to 60 during severe cold to avoid frozen pipes.
- What should I set my thermostat to in winter? Keeping your thermostat at an optimal temperature keeps you comfortable and helps you save on energy costs. We recommend keeping your thermostat at 68° F when you are at home. As mentioned above, you can set it lower when you are away to save further.
Consider an Air Source Heat Pump
Air source heat pumps have been used in the United States for many years, but the most recent models are better suited to cold climates like the one we have in Delano, Minnesota. These “cold climate heat pumps” are highly efficient in freezing temperatures and can bring about significant energy cost savings. Learn more about air-source heat pumps in this article from the Department of Energy, and keep an eye out for potential rebates coming to Minnesota in the future.
Check for Home Energy Tax Credits
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 offers tax credits for qualified energy-efficiency upgrades made to your home. Improvements made between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2025, may qualify you for a tax credit up to $3,200. Possible qualified improvements include exterior doors, windows, insulation materials, central air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and more.
Home Water Conservation and Preparation for Delano, MN, Residents
Take Precautions to Avoid Frozen Pipes
When frozen pipes burst, you can be left with a major water bill and a severe mess to clean up. On top of maintaining the minimum temperature setting mentioned above, you should also do the following to prevent frozen pipes:
- Open cabinet and closet doors in the kitchen and bathroom(s). Doing so will allow the warm air from your heating system to reach the plumbing.
- Leave faucets dripping/trickling when you go to bed, particularly on severely cold nights. Even minimally running water helps prevent the pipes from freezing.
- Insulate exposed pipes. Wrap exposed pipes in areas like garages, crawl spaces, attics, and basements with foam insulation.
Look For and Repair Leaks
Small plumbing leaks may seem like a minor inconvenience—at first. However, they will add to your water bill over time and can only get worse if left unaddressed. Inspect your sinks and other fixtures for leaks and have them fixed ASAP to prevent further issues and higher costs.
Contact Delano Municipal Utilities for EAP and CWR Assistance
Delano Municipal Utilities (DMU) is here to serve you and everyone in our community. Using these home winterization tips, you can help prepare your household for the cold months ahead, as well as minimize your utility costs. If you are concerned about your ability to pay your electric bill this winter, you can also apply for the Energy Assistance Program (EAP). In our blog covering the EAP and Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule (CWR), we outline how this program can protect you from having your heat shut off, as well as how to apply.
Contact us with any questions or for more tips on how to conserve energy and water this winter in Delano, Minnesota.