Are You Ready For Winter?

Brrr… get your hot cocoa and ear mitts ready. According to the 2017 Farmers’ Almanac, this year’s winter is going to be substantially colder than last year’s. Lucky us, Maryland is one of the states that has been predicted to be “ice cold & snow filled.” Cold weather will start to kick in this year around mid-November (gradually getting worse throughout December and January). February, though, is really the month to watch out for. Temperatures are predicted to be absolutely frigid…and costly!

As most of us know, colder weather doesn’t just make it harder to stay warm, it makes it more expensive. According to the Energy Information Administration, fuel bills are predicted to go up from last winter. Heating oil is expected to go up 38%, Natural Gas 22%, and Propane 26%. What does that break down to in terms of dollars? Well, households that rely primarily on heating oil can expect to pay an average of $378 more this winter than last (possibly reaching an average of $556 more). Households that primarily rely on natural gas can expect to pay an average of $116 more this winter than last. Households that primarily rely on propane can expect to pay an average of $346 more this winter than last.

How can you prepare for this upcoming winter then? Get your heating fixed, get your thermostat working right, and get your house weatherized. Air sealing and insulation can reduce energy consumption up to 35% and save you more than $400 in your first year alone (according to the U.S. Department of Energy). If you are going to act, the time is now! Don’t wait until it’s too late, schedule an appointment with Complete Home Solutions today.