From draft proofing to upgrades, use your PowerSense this winter and be more comfortable, save energy and manage your heating costs.
Your home’s gaps and cracks can add up to big chills and bigger bills. Beat the winter cold by plugging those sneaky leaks.
And, if you’re ready to upgrade to an energy-efficient heating system or improve your home’s insulation, you can receive valuable rebates from FortisBC, LiveSmart BC and ecoENERGY.
Winter heating checkup
Any home, from new to heritage, can benefit from a quick winter checkup. Here are some simple tips:
- Walk through your home and make a list of areas that need sealing or upgrading.
- Draft proof. Inspect doors and windows for cracks and worn weatherstripping. Use caulking and weatherstripping to seal the gaps around doors and windows, the foundation sill, and places where pipes pass through the exterior walls. You can save a surprising amount on your home’s heating costs.
- Apply window film. If you have single pane windows, inexpensive window film can go a long way towards preventing drafts.
- Adjust your thermostat. Set the thermostat to 20 degrees Celsius during the day and 17 degrees Celsius at night. Install a programmable thermostat so you can drop the temperature automatically at night or when you are away.
- Have your heat pump serviced and apply for a $25 rebate from FortisBC PowerSense. Terms and conditions apply.
- Replace your furnace filter now, and every three months during the heating season. It requires less energy to push air through a clean filter.
- Close vents or turn down heaters in rooms that are not in use.
- Reverse your ceiling fans to push warm air from the ceiling back into the room. This is usually clockwise in winter.
- Dress for the season. Warm up with slippers and a sweater before turning up the temperature on colder days.
- Upgrade your home’s heating system and insulation. When you do these upgrades under the guidance of a certified energy advisor, you can apply for up to $12,000 in rebates through LiveSmart BC and ecoENERGY Canada. Terms and conditions apply.
More ways to save
FortisBC PowerSense has a number of other programs and incentives to help you save electricity this winter.
More information
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