Sign up to get new listings emailed daily! JOIN SIGN IN
Jim Hairston
REALTOR®, Relocation Director
(567) 241-2642
Facebook Icon X Icon LinkedIn Icon 
Jim Hairston Blog

Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.




rss logo RSS Feed
Ashland Ohio | 2 Posts
Bellville Ohio | 3 Posts
Buy a House | 48 Posts
Community | 2 Posts
Finance | 2 Posts
Galion Ohio | 1 Posts
Haring Realty | 1 Posts
Home Maintenance | 11 Posts
Homeownership | 95 Posts
Housing Market | 32 Posts
Housing Market | 89 Posts
Lexington Ohio | 2 Posts
Lucas Ohio | 2 Posts
Mansfield Ohio | 64 Posts
Marketing | 12 Posts
Moving Tips | 3 Posts
Ontario, Ohio | 2 Posts
Richland County | 3 Posts
Sell Home | 4 Posts
Shelby Ohio | 2 Posts
Tips for Buyers | 1 Posts
Uncategorized | 1 Posts
November
21

Energy Bill Savings - Homeowners - Haring Realty

As temperatures dip colder, you can take plenty of steps to prepare your home and shield your budget from overheated utility bills. Our REALTORS® recommend taking action sooner rather than later to ensure you don't end up with an eye-popping surprise in the mail.

  • Seal the Leaks
    Seal any drafts around windows and doors with the appropriate weatherstripping. You should also ensure that garage door seals are in good condition and that any cracks in masonry are caulked.

  • Check the Insulation
    Make sure that the insulation in your attic isn't compacted and that there are no gaps between the rafters. If you need to add insulation, or if it's time to replace your insulation because it's moldy or wet, hire a professional contractor to perform the task. Further, if you have a crawlspace, make sure it's properly sealed and appropriately insulated.

  • Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up
    Locate a reputable HVAC service provider and schedule a fall tune-up for your gas furnace, electric furnace, oil furnace, boiler, or heat pump. They will change the air filters, test thermostat operation, inspect heating elements/heat exchangers, and more. Staying on top of preventative maintenance is one of the best ways to ensure optimal energy efficiency.

  • Request an Electricity Audit
    Your electric company can inspect your home and help you identify strategies to reduce your electric bill. Simple things like unplugging "energy vampires" and upgrading appliances can save you a bundle throughout the year.

  • Have the Water Heater Inspected
    Reach out to a reputable plumber and schedule a tune-up. Your plumber will inspect seals, test valves, clear sediment, and perform other tasks that greatly improve system performance. Further, turning the temperature on the water heater down can save you significant sums of money month after month.

  • Surf the Peaks
    Many Galion homes for sale use utility providers that have peak and off-peak rates. By avoiding using large appliances, taking showers, washing dishes, etc., during peak hours, you can trim hundreds off your utility bills over the winter.

  • Get Smart
    Installing a smart thermostat is a cost-effective investment that will enhance your comfort and shield your wallet. Smart thermostats can be easily adjusted via mobile apps, allowing you to control the temperature from anywhere you have WiFi. Further, setting it to turn down the heat when you go to sleep will help you sleep better as you dream about opening smaller utility bills next month.

  • Swap the Lightbulbs
    Invest in LED bulbs for all your sockets. These consume considerably less energy than incandescent bulbs and last far longer.

  • Change the Curtains
    Heat loss through windows is a problem even if you have a window with a high U-value. An easy way to increase protection is to hang thick curtains. Keep your sunward-facing windows open during the day, and draw the curtains when the sun goes down. It's a simple step and also an easy way to decorate your home for the holidays ahead.

  • Use the Fireplace
    If you have a gas, pellet, or wood-burning fireplace, it's a good idea to make sure it's clean and inspected. When the weather cools off, fireplaces can cut your heating bills and add to the festive atmosphere of the season.

Need more tips on how to save on your wintertime utility bills? Contact us, and we will be happy to tell you about some of the many strategies our clients use to keep their winter utility bills from chewing a big hole in their budgets.

Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 04/14/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 04/14/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Tue 04/14/2026 1:32:17 AM EST) or CBRMLS (last updated Tue 04/14/2026 12:44:28 AM EST) or Ashland MLS (last updated Mon 04/13/2026 10:00:38 PM EST) or Firelands MLS (last updated Mon 04/13/2026 11:11:45 PM EST) or MLS NOW (last updated Tue 04/14/2026 12:17:30 AM EST) or Mansfield MLS (last updated Mon 04/13/2026 11:47:14 PM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Haring Realty may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy / DMCA Notice / ADA Accessibility

Login to My Homefinder

Get Pre-Approved

Pixel