How To Save On Heating Costs
Brrr! As the temperatures begin to drop, we naturally turn up the heat in our homes. However, higher thermostat settings can lead to higher heating bills. To keep your home cozy without overspending, discover practical ways to stay warm while managing your heating costs.
Insulation & Draft Prevention
Seal the leaks! Heat can escape your house through small leaks around windows and doors. This can increase energy use and cause higher bills. To help save energy, check your windows and doors for drafts. If you notice any, try weather stripping or a door sweep to seal the gaps.
Another way to prep your house before winter sets in is to assess your insulation in places like your attic, basement, and crawl spaces. Insulation over time can settle and get matted down, especially in older homes. Adding more insulation in these places can help lower your energy costs.
Thermostat Tricks
What temperature settings are ideal for winter comfort and energy savings? Balancing the two can be difficult, but these are the general recommendations:
- 68 degrees when at home – That may sound a bit cold if you usually keep your house in the 70s; however, your heating system won’t have to work as hard to keep the house warm. You can try decreasing your thermostat each day to acclimate to the colder temperatures.
- 60 degrees when away from home – If no one is at home, the only reason your heating system should be working is to keep pipes and other important parts of your house from freezing. Plus, turning down your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day saves as much as 10% per year on your heating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
A smart programmable thermostat can help manage these temperature changes for you throughout the day, and offer additional energy-saving features to continue to reduce your energy costs.
Maximize Heat Efficiency
To get the most out of your heating system, there are little things around the house you can do to maximize your heat efficiency.
- Reverse ceiling fans – In the winter, you want to flip the switch on your ceiling fan to create an updraft. As heat rises, the updraft will help push the warm air down and improve heat distribution, and maintain a consistent room temperature.
- Clear vents and radiators of furniture – Placing furniture and other household items in front of vents and radiators can restrict the heat from moving throughout your house efficiently. Moving these items away helps.
- Get strategic with your curtains – When the sun is out, open your curtains or blinds and let the natural heat warm up your house. At night, close your curtains or blinds to keep the heat in.
Cozy Up!
The easiest way to stay warm in your house and save on heating costs is by bundling up. Layer up with comfortable sweatpants and a cozy sweatshirt if you are working around the house. If you are sitting to watch a movie, grab a blanket or two. Even enjoying a warm drink can help keep you warm longer without feeling the need to increase your house’s temperature.
Just a few smart adjustments to your house’s temperature or how you enjoy a relaxing winter night inside can make a world of difference to your heating costs at the end of the month. Keep your house warm and energy bill low without sacrificing comfort.