This past winter has been unusually cold. Many homes are still paying huge heating bills due to unusually cold winter. Some climate scientists suggest that this is a long-term trend that may impact homeowners for years to come. You may want to make some home improvements that can help cut your heating costs.

There are a number of home renovations that can help reduce heating costs. Here are a few that you should consider. You can always talk to a Woodward Heating contractor in Salem, Oregon for more information.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Installing a programmable thermostat can be a great idea to save on heating costs while you are away from your house. You can make sure that the heater is turned off when nobody is at home. You can also set it to turn on shortly before you get back, so that the house can heat up gradually rather than needing to spend a lot of energy cranking the heat when you return to a cold house.

According to Energy Star, this could help many homeowners save nearly $200 a year in heating costs. People living in colder climates could potentially save enough more money.

Seal Drafts Near Electric Outlets

Electrical outlets are another heat sink that you need to look out for. You may want to consider caulking them and adding a foam gasket to keep air from leaving. You can stop heat from flowing out your electrical outlet for about 55 cents.

Stop Drafts in Walls

Up to 45% of heat is lost through the uninsulated walls. There are a couple of things that you will want to do to address this. First of all, you should make sure that your walls a properly insulated. However, many insulated walls also lose a lot of heat due to small holes. You will want to look for drafts and make sure that they are adequately sealed.

Try turning off all of your appliances and burning some incense on a windy day. You should be able to spot drafts by seeing where the incense flows. You will want to pay particular attention to the walls in your attic, because they are the biggest source of heat loss.

Seal Your Windows and Doors

You will also want to make sure that your windows and doors are properly sealed. Research has shown that about 18-20% of heat loss occurs through these portals. You will want to inspect them carefully for cracks. You can caulk them with Plaster of Paris or a similar binding agent.