How to Lower Electricity Bills During the Winter

As the temperature falls, the cost of keeping your home nice and cozy can really add up. But with the right simple adjustments, you can keep warm without spending a fortune. Whether you’re dealing with a cold snap in the South or snowstorms in New England, try these suggestions to cut energy costs in winter.

Find and Close Any Air Leaks

Poorly hung doors and drafty windows are the most obvious places for letting in drafts. Even unsealed wiring and plumbing penetrations can let warm air leak out. Use insulation strips, sealing compound or foam sealant to fill these leaks. Also, don’t forget to close the fireplace damper when not in use. Fully addressing drafts in your home can save up to 20% on heating costs.

Plan Heating Schedules on the Thermostat

A programmable thermostat is a useful accessory to reduce your heating bills. Adjust the setting to around 68 degrees F when you’re home during the day, and decrease it 7 to 10 degrees lower when you’re gone or in bed. Thanks to the automatic management of smart thermostats, you can set a comfortable temperature to fit your comfort before you come home or start your day. You won’t feel a difference, but you’ll quickly notice the savings—up to 10% a year. If you have a heat pump or radiant floor heating, be sure to use a thermostat that’s compatible to ensure energy efficiency.

Use the Sun’s Free Heat

During the day, open all the curtains and blinds on windows that face south to harness the natural heat from the sun. Then, shut the blinds after the sun goes down to trap that warmth inside and prevent the nighttime cold.

Supplement Existing 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, keeping more warmth inside and possibly lowering heating bills by up to 15%. Even if your home is insulated, ensuring you have ENOUGH can further boost your energy savings.

Stay on Top of Routine Maintenance for Your Heating System

Preventative HVAC maintenance keeps your heating system running efficiently, which lowers expenses. Schedule an annual checkup with a service technician each fall to ensure optimal performance all winter. In the meantime, swap out the air filter around 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 Sparingly

Space heaters can provide a quick burst of warmth, but they’re also big energy guzzlers. Rather than trying to add one in every room, limit their use to when and where you really need the extra heat. For maximum savings, try to select energy-efficient space heaters with thermostats.

Bundle Up Inside

Wearing the right clothing isn’t the most fun option for reducing indoor heating, but every little bit helps! Add a nice, thick sweater, a pair of warm socks and use a blanket. Then, go ahead and lower the temperature by a few degrees. It may not seem significant, but you may save up to 3% on your heating bill for every degree you turn down your heat.

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances

Older heating and cooling systems use more energy. When your furnace or water heater is ready for an upgrade, select an ENERGY STAR®-certified model to cut down on costs.

Use the Winter Setting on Your Ceiling Fans to Redistribute Heat

Ceiling fans can help in the winter too. Set your fans to turn clockwise on a low setting in the winter to redistribute warm air into the room. This simple trick spreads warmth more evenly throughout the space and reduces the need for extra heating.

Unplug Unused Electronics

Many appliances continue to consume energy 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. Having power strips you can quickly switch off makes it easy.

Lower Your Water Heater Temperature

A home’s water heater is responsible for a significant portion of each month’s energy bill, second only to the HVAC. Lower the temperature to 120 degrees to save energy while still delivering hot water for your household.

Take Advantage of Smart Home Technology

Innovative smart devices like smart thermostats and light bulbs improve electricity usage. Not only is it possible to program a smart thermostat based on your schedule, but you can control it from anywhere. Some can even automatically recognize your preferences and self-adjust for comfort to combine efficiency with comfort.

Keep Your Home Warm Without High Costs

Follow these practical tips to keep your living space cozy this winter while reducing your energy expenses. To help keep your heating system in peak shape, choose Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Our certified technicians provide fast, reliable and long-lasting solutions to meet everyone’s comfort needs. For quality care, contact us today!