We’re currently in the depths of winter, which probably has you turning up your thermostat while much of the country is experiencing low temperatures and snow. It also means you’ll quickly feel the impact on your wallet as heating bills rise. Although utility companies and energy experts warn that heating costs will increase by 17% nationally This winter, it’s still possible to find ways to save on winter bills.
Below, we explore five ways to reduce your heating bill throughout the winter, with tips ranging from simple lifestyle adjustments to invest in best equipment. (You can also Save on heating costs with this small home improvement And set your thermostat to this ideal temperature).
1. Turn down the thermostat
We’ve probably all heard this advice. However, it bears repeating because it is the simplest and most direct way to save on energy costs. It can be nice to keep the house warm so you don’t have to pack in as much. But the US Department of Energy states that you could save up to 10% per year on your heating costs by lowering the thermostat 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.for eight hours a day.
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The benefit of lowering your thermostat is that you can do it when you’re not home during the day, so you don’t even notice the difference. You might also consider turning down the thermostat at night. According to Mayo Clinic, sleeping in colder temperatures might even contribute to our body’s natural temperature drop at night and lead to more restful sleep. You might want to try keeping your home cooler at night, and if that doesn’t bother you or even if you don’t like it, you’ve just found an easy way to save on heating costs this winter.
Today smart thermostats even make things easier than ever. You simply set a pre-recorded schedule for when you want the house to go down several degrees and when it goes up several degrees. Set the heat to turn up a bit before you get up in the morning and your house will be warm when you need to get out of bed.
2. Go green with renewable energy
Solar power manages electricity production, so it doesn’t seem like using solar power would affect your heating bills. However, if you run an all-electric central heating system, you may not have to pay gas heating bills at all. This is certainly the most complex tip on the list. You may need to invest in a solar panel, solar battery and even install electric central heating. But this way you avoid the fluctuating costs of natural gas.
The advantage of solar energy is that the panels can still collect energy for your home even in winter. They just need a little more attention, like removing snow in northern climates or insulating batteries. You can learn more about winter maintenance of solar panels in our guide.
You can also check what credits are available in your area for solar energy and if you qualify, such as 26% tax credit. Solar panels also have the popular benefit of allowing you to sell excess energy back to utility companies, if your local utility participates.
If installing all solar in your home isn’t a time or money commitment you can make right now, you can even look for other eco-friendly ways to save on your overall electricity and heating expenses . A simple way is to equip your camper with portable solar panels. You could even look at the little ones solar gadgets that can reduce your heating/electricity bill, such as solar device chargers or a solar water heater kit.
3. Upgrade your gear
If you’re using an old oven, chances are you’re burning more energy than necessary. According to US Department of Energy, energy efficiency ratings for new high-efficiency heating systems can range from 90 to 98.5 percent, as opposed to older, low-efficiency systems from 56 to 70 percent. With electricity prices becoming more erratic of late, now may be a good time to make this investment a priority.
You can also look at different ways to heat your home. We mentioned all-electric systems backed by solar panels above, but there are also heat pumps in place of furnaces. Heat pumps transfer heat from outside, so they tend to be popular in more temperate climates. You can learn more about heat pumps vs. furnaces in our guide.
4. Six Simple Tips for Managing Your Home Temperature
Beyond updating your equipment, playing with your thermostat, or investing in a renewable energy alternative, you can also make small changes that will help lower your heating bill. These probably won’t overhaul your heating bill like new equipment will, but if you feel like every little bit helps you can try a few options such as:
- Open your blinds, curtains, or blinds to let the sun in during the day, as this will put less strain on your furnace.
- Even cooking or cooking at home is an easy way to warm up your home during the day.
- Put windbreaks on doors.
- Winterize your windows with storm windows on the exterior or plastic covering on the interior.
- Keep your heating vents free of dust and debris.
- Portable, efficient heaters can mean lowering the overall temperature while keeping the room you’re in warm.
Sometimes small lifestyle habits can surprise you with how much you save on your energy bill.
5. Check Your Home for Air Leaks
An extremely important part of making sure your home doesn’t lose money in the winter is making sure there are no air leaks in your home. Call the professionals to check for possible air leaks in your home; they will probably perform a blower door test.
You may also want to insulate and seal your home against energy or heat loss yourself. You can learn more about how to insulate and seal the air in our guide.
Some final tips to help you save
Since electricity and heating costs are the same bill for many people, you can even work on reducing your electricity usage to help cover that overall bill. Here are several resources to help you save on your electricity bill:
It’s also difficult to know where to save on your electric bill if you don’t know what your home’s biggest energy sinks are. Enter smart sockets with energy monitoringwhich helps you read the amount of energy consumed by each device in your home and track your energy production.
Ultimately, if you ever move, you may want to make sure the home you buy is energy efficient. This will help reduce the urge to scream when you open your winter energy bill in the future, as well as other utility bills. This guide shows the different types of systems to look out for when looking for accommodation. There are clear signs that the house could be energy efficient, like the giant solar panel on the roof. Some more subtle signs of sustainability to look out for include water harvesting systems, tankless water heaters, and reclaimed wood.
