In Michigan, my heating bill is outrageous. What is the best way to insulate the house during the winter.?

Answer 1

There are many things that can be done to lower your heating costs in the winter. Below is a list of several things to consider:

1) Have a professional contractor add attic insulation
2) Make sure that the furnace filter is replaced/cleaned every month during the heating season.
3) Insulate the water heater
4) Check under the sinks for gaps around where the pipes come through the walls.
5) Replace old/damaged door weather-stripping
6) Install new shower-heads and faucet aerators
7) Install blinds or thick curtains on all windows
8) Caulk any cracks on the exterior of the home

Good luck. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I would have to look at the house in order to advise you.

a) Insulation is a MUST to reduce heat loss.. Insulation in the attic.. plenty of it.. and insulation down all the walls
b) double pane windows is essential also
c) ALL CRACKS, etc( around doors/windows) to be caulked
d) NOW the big item.. the air conditioner/heat pump is absolutely essential.. I just changed mine recently from an OLD 8 seer to a 16 seer and wow.. what a difference.. If you have an OLD air conditioner/heat pump, you will end up with a horrendous bill

Answer 3

I don't know about insulating, but I know how I save on energy bills.
ComEd (the master of all electric here in Chicago) has a budget plan. They take all your bills from the last 12 months and find the average. You are then billed that average amount every month, it doesn't matter if you use the full amount or not.
So, for me, I pay $50/mo, winter, spring summer and fall.
Call your electric/gas company and see if they have this type of plan.

Answer 4

If you can, the best way to save on heating and cooling is to add more insulation to the attic, it is about $10 a roll at Lowes. Heat rises so it goes out through the attic.
Make sure your windows are sealed good and also make sure under the doors are sealed good. if not then roll up towels and place along the cracks.Use heavy curtains also. Set your thermostat at one selected temperature and leave it.

good luck.

Answer 5

Short term: (quick, easy and cheap)

Plastic over the windows
Weather strip around doors and windows
Insulating pad inside of outlets and switch covers.
Change the air filter on your furnace. (if you have forced air heating)
Vacuum the ducts. (if you have forced air heating)
Isolate unused areas (close doors, turn off heating ducts - but NOT in areas with WATER PIPES)
Open curtains during daylight, close them at night.
Close doors between levels - or pin up a blanket to prevent air flow between levels.

Live upstairs when possible.

Your local utility company may offer free energy audits, and may even provide some of these supplies for you to use making them even cheaper and easier to put in place.

Mid-term (slightly more expensive, but not hard to do):

Add insulation inside your attic - either blown or roll type. See the packaging or ask at the hardware store for instructions, but it's not difficult to do.
Add a ceiling fan.
Use space heater in primary area.

Long term:

Storm windows or replacement windows
Blow-in insulation in outside walls

Answer 6

Their are only two ways that you could do this, but each will require you to pay.

option 1: Get an electric heater to heat your house, but it will add to your electric bill.

option 2: It will cost more, but it is probably only one payment. Have a fire place installed into your house and from their, chop your own wood.

Answer 7

^In addition to what she said, put plastic up to the windows; less heat will escape that way.