Ways to Cut Your Heating Costs This Winter
Are you tired of sky-high energy bills that make you want to hibernate until spring? Fear not, fellow cold-blooded creature! We've put together a list of simple and effective ways to cut your heating costs this winter, so you can stay warm and cozy without burning your money.
Warm Water, Cool Savings
Most water heaters are set by default to heat water to a temperature of around 140° F, but this is often hotter than necessary for most household uses. By reducing the temperature to 120 degrees, you can save money without having to sacrifice comfort. In addition to saving money on your monthly energy bills, reducing the temperature of your water heater can also help to prolong its life.
Don't Let the Heat Escape
Insufficient insulation is by far the biggest contributor to energy waste. Air could be getting in through a leak in the attic, basement, garage, baseboards, or a crack in the caulking in the exterior walls. Any leaking place allows cold air in when the furnace is off and lets warm air out when it's on. Proper insulation will save you money year-round on your heating and AC bills.
Seal any gaps in the exterior walls of your house to prevent heat from escaping. Areas around pipes and cables that enter and exit your home are typical sources of heat loss. Sealing these gaps with expanding foam or silicone will help prevent heat from escaping and improve the overall energy efficiency of your home.
About 30% of heating loss in a home happens through the windows and doors. Sealing gaps around door and window frames by applying weather stripping reduces drafts and heat loss and lowers energy consumption.
You can use the age-old trick to find drafts in your home with a candle. Hold the lit candle near potential draft sources and watch the flame. If it flickers or moves, it may indicate the presence of a draft.
Insulating your doors, windows, and any openings in the exterior walls of your house is an inexpensive and effective way of significantly lower your heating bills.
Don't Heat Unused Spaces
If you have rooms that aren't used very often, like a guest room or a laundry room, you can save money on your heating bills by closing the vent from the furnace to these areas. By sealing off unused rooms you can prevent the heat from being wasted and instead redirect more heat to the parts of your home that you are using.
Layer Up
Wearing a few extra layers of clothing can help you save a significant amount of money on your heating bills. By wearing something more substantial than a t-shirt and shorts inside your home, you can keep yourself warm and comfortable without having to crank up the heat. Turning your thermostat down just a few degrees can make a big difference. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat down 7-10°F for 8 hours a day from its usual setting.
Consider an Electric Blanket
Why heat the whole house when you can just warm up your personal space? Lower your thermostat and snuggle up with your favorite book or movie. With an electric blanket, you can stay toasty and warm without wasting energy heating up rooms you're not using.
Don't Forget to Replace Your Furnace Filters
Changing the furnace filter is not only about having clean air in your home. If the filter is clogged, it can make your fans work harder to push air through and use more energy, which can increase your energy bills.
Cook and Bake at Home
If you allocate a large budget for restaurant food, consider cooking your own meals. At least give it a try this winter. Not only will cooking and baking at home help you save on eating out and food delivery, but the heat from the stove will also help warm up your home.