Many Maryland households are facing the prospect of steeper heating bills as oil prices remain high.
For those trying to lower such costs, a useful place to start is figuring out where a home may be losing warmth, which could mean asking a utility company about a free home energy audit.
Here's what to know
According to CBS News Baltimore, NerdWallet personal finance expert Kimberly Palmer said there are several ways homeowners can protect their budgets.
One of Palmer's suggestions was to check whether a utility company offers a home energy audit. The service can include an in-person visit to identify leaks and drafts, followed by recommendations for making the home more efficient.
If you're considering an upgrade, Palmetto can help homeowners understand their HVAC options and reduce their energy bills with newer, more efficient HVAC units and heat pumps, while its Comfort Plan network can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home and connect you with vetted installers.
Palmer also pointed to small changes that can help, including cleaning air filters every three months and lowering the thermostat when the house is empty so the system is not working harder than it needs to, CBS News Baltimore reported.
More background
High fuel prices can hit household budgets quickly, especially when homeowners are already paying more for other necessities. An audit can reveal whether an issue is just the price of fuel or where costly heated air is escaping.
The advice was not only about reducing energy use. Palmer urged homeowners to disconnect outdoor hoses since water in them can freeze, expand, and damage pipes or outdoor spigots, per CBS News Baltimore.
Crushed by your bills? See instant solar savings from vetted installers in just a few clicks With energy prices through the roof, there's never been a better time to go solar — and EasyHome can help you find the best prices from the best installers in your area. EasyHome takes the guesswork and headaches out of energy upgrades by showing you estimated savings from a network of vetted local partners. To get started, just enter your ZIP and share a few details about your home — seeing your estimate is really that easy. |
She also flagged insufficient insulation as a common source of heat loss, especially in attics and other parts of a home where drafts make it easy for warmth to escape.
Residents who are having trouble paying heating bills should contact their utility company to ask whether a hardship program is available to lower a bill or allow payment to be delayed.
What can be done?
A good first move is to contact your utility company about a home energy audit and find out which fixes would matter most. Palmer told CBS News Baltimore that insulation improvements are a frequent recommendation because attics and other drafty areas can let heat slip out.
Homeowners can then take low-effort measures, such as cleaning filters every three months, disconnecting outdoor hoses, and turning the thermostat down when no one is home.
If you're ready to make a bigger change, another option is upgrading old equipment. If paying up front is a barrier, Palmetto's Comfort Plan includes $0 down options that can lower heating and cooling costs by up to 50% and feature 12 years of maintenance.
Homeowners can also pair electric appliances with solar panels to drive utility costs even lower. EnergySage makes it easy to compare solar options and find the best solar system and installer for a home's budget, and it can help homeowners save up to $10,000 on solar installations.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
