The average cost to heat your home during winter months has increased by more than $170 over the past decade, according to a report from the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association.
Based on historical data, it’s safe to say winter heating costs will only increase over time. A home is the biggest investment most Americans make during their lifetimes. It makes sense to invest in your investment – especially when it saves you money in the long run.
But it doesn’t seasonal home maintenance doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Learn how to save money on seasonal home maintenance before the temperature drops to single digits.
Cost-effective ways to prepare your home for the fall and winter
The fall is a good time to have your home heating system serviced. It’ll cost $100-$300 for a technician to inspect your home’s boiler, furnace, or heat pump. But imagine your heating system blows during a snowstorm in the middle of winter. Plus it should be done annually and technicians check for carbon-monoxide leakage, so it’s for your family’s safety.
You should also try to have a roof inspection done before the winter hits. This is something you can start on your own. Grab a ladder and check for damaged and loose shingles. If you can’t replace them on your own, hire a handyman for $100-$300 – or at worst, $200-$600 for a larger section (a 100-square-foot area).
DIY projects to save on heating and utility bills
Minor steps you take today can save you a fortune later. Some jobs like cleaning out your gutters are much easier to do now then when the cold weather hits. It takes more time than money to do. Clogged gutters cause water to back up and freeze during low temperatures.
Have you noticed a draft in your home? It may be a sign to caulk your windows and doors. This is a project that can cost you $11 and an hour of your weekend to significantly drop your heat bill.
Insulate the pipes in your house. This is something you don’t need a professional for – and it only costs roughly 50 cents per linear foot. Check under sinks, in your attic, and any crawl spaces for exposed copper and PVC pipes. Taking care of it now can save anywhere from $500 to $3,000 to fix a burst pipe later.
Investing in energy-efficient home improvements
The IRS is giving tax credits for energy efficiency in homes through 2032. As part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Uncle Sam will credit “up to $3,200 annually on taxes for energy efficient upgrades.
Bigger upgrades like switching to heat pump technology will count for tax credits on next year’s tax bill and every year following until 2032. Switching to air source heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and biomass stoves or boilers count for tax credits of 30% of costs – up to $2,000.
Those credits can be combined with up to $1,200 in smaller energy efficient home improvements.
If you have ENERGY STAR insulation, exterior door, and windows and skylight installed you may qualify for the additional tax credits. You can claim 30% of the product costs on each. The maximum credit will vary depending on each item.
Go to ENERGYSTAR.gov to find your climate zone. Make sure to identify the “Certified Product Directory (CPD) number of your products.” Search that CPD number in the National Federation Rating Council directory search. When tax season rolls around, use tax form 5695 to claim your residential energy credits.