Minneapolis-based comedian Scott Hansen used to joke about the Minnesotan obsession with home heating costs. At one point, he goes as far as to say a visit to the Taj Mahal would only prompt the question – and I paraphrase – ‘how much does it cost to heat this place?’

With energy and home heating costs on the rise, Hansen’s joke could never be more apt. Luckily, from energy-efficient furnaces to do-it-yourself furnace maintenance, Minnesotans have several options at their disposal to ensure lower heating costs this winter.

The best first step to saving on energy costs, and making your home more affordably comfortable, is a home energy audit. You can actually conduct a basic home energy audit yourself—all you need is your utility bill information for the last 12 months.

Simply visit the government’s Energy Star website, enter the basics about your home (zip code, number of inhabitants, square footage, fuel types used), enter your monthly or annual bill and usage totals, and then compare your home’s energy use to similar homes across the country.  The site also gives you energy-saving suggestions and home improvement recommendations.

If your home is underperforming, you may want to have a professional home energy audit.  This would involve a home energy professional visiting your home to find specific places where energy is lost due to drafts, locating sites of air infiltration or missing insulation, and more.  Your auditor will also make recommendations to correct any problems they find.

If you feel you need a home energy audit, or have more concerns about your home heating costs, we welcome you to call the Minneapolis-based heating professionals at Welter Heating & Air Conditioning.

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