How to Reduce Electricity Bills This Winter
As the temperature drops, the cost of keeping your home nice and cozy can really feel overwhelming. But with a few simple adjustments, you can keep warm without spending a fortune. Whether you’re facing a cold front in the South or blizzards in New England, follow these tips to cut energy costs in winter.
Find and Close Any Air Leaks
Poorly hung doors and drafty windows are the most common culprits for letting in drafts. Even gaps around pipes and wires can let warm air seep out. Use insulation strips, sealing compound or spray foam to fill these leaks. Also, remember to close the fireplace damper when you aren’t using it. Sealing a leaky home can save up to 20% on heating costs.
Program Your Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is a useful accessory to control your heating bills. Set your thermostat to around 68 degrees F when you’re awake, and drop it 7 to 10 degrees down when you’re not home or asleep. With the programmed scheduling of smart thermostats, you can have the heat come back up to fit your comfort before you make it home or start your day. You shouldn’t feel a difference, but you’ll definitely notice the savings—up to 10% a year. If your home uses a heat pump or radiant floor heating, make sure to use a thermostat capable of working with these systems to keep efficiency high.
Utilize the Sun’s Free Heat
While the sun is out, open all the curtains and blinds on south-facing windows to harness the warmth from the sun. Then, close the window coverings after the sun goes down to keep that heat in and insulate against the nighttime cold.
Add More Insulation
If your home’s attic or walls aren’t properly insulated, your home is losing heat. Adding more insulation reinforces the layer between indoor and outdoor air, locking in warmth and possibly lowering heating bills by up to 15%. Even if your home already has some insulation, ensuring you have ENOUGH can further enhance your home’s heat retention.
Don’t Put Off Maintenance for Your Heating System
Preventative HVAC maintenance keeps your heating system running efficiently, which lowers expenses. Arrange an annual checkup with a service technician each fall to help your system run at its peak all winter. In the meantime, swap out the air filter on average every one to three months. A fresh air filter restores full air circulation and lowers energy consumption to keep your home warm.
Use Space Heaters Appropriately
Space heaters can deliver a quick burst of warmth, but they’re also high-energy consumers. As an alternative to trying to add one in every room, limit their use to when and where you really need the extra heat. For even higher efficiency, try to select energy-efficient space heaters with thermostats.
Cozy Up Inside
Wearing the right clothing isn’t the most fun option for lowering your thermostat, but every little bit helps! Put on a warm sweater, a pair of warm socks and keep a throw blanket nearby. Then, go ahead and turn down the heat by a few degrees. It might not sound like much, but you could save up to 3% on your heating bill for every degree you lower the thermostat.
Upgrade to High Efficiency Appliances
Older heating and cooling systems are much less efficient. When your furnace or water heater is ready for an upgrade, opt for an ENERGY STAR®-certified model to lower your bills.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans to Redistribute Heat
Ceiling fans can be used year-round. Set your fans to spin clockwise on a low setting in the winter to push warm air from the ceiling back down into the room. This small adjustment improves heat distribution and cuts down on additional heating.
Unplug Unused Electronics
Many electronics still use electricity when plugged in, even when turned off. To stop this hidden power drain, disconnect electronics like phone chargers, TVs and gaming consoles when not in use. Using switchable power strips makes it easy.
Lower the Temperature of Your Water Heater
The water heater contributes to a major part of your energy bill, only surpassed by heating and cooling systems. Set the temperature to 120 degrees to save energy while still meeting your hot water needs for your household.
Make the Most of Smart Home Technology
Advanced smart home technology for thermostats and lighting improve electricity usage. Not only can you program a smart thermostat based on your schedule, but you can access it via your phone or tablet. Some can even automatically recognize your preferences and adjust the temperature automatically to combine efficiency with comfort.
Keep Your Home Warm Without High Costs
Use these helpful suggestions to stay warm and comfortable this winter while cutting energy costs. To help keep your heating system performing well, choose Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Our highly trained technicians provide efficient and dependable services to meet all your comfort needs. For quality care, contact us today!
