Winter’s cooler temps bring higher energy bills for many. Here are some tips and tricks for saving money on your heating bill. And if a bill sneaks up before you get these savings tips dialed in, just grab a 0% APR Instacash advance to cover it!
9 Ways to Save on Energy Costs in Winter
Here’s how to keep your home comfortable without breaking the bank. Follow these energy-saving tips and winterize like a boss.
1. Ask About Budget Billing
Check with your energy provider to see if you can use budget billing, a program that spreads the cost of your energy bill over the course of the year. This keeps your bills relatively even throughout the year, even in the months where you consume the most energy. This method works best for people who have lived in their homes for the last 12 months, since your monthly payment will be averaged from the previous year’s energy use.
2. Use More Sunshine
Set your thermostat back about 7–10 degrees and you could save 10% on energy costs. Did you know that you also sleep much better when the temperatures are cooler? A cool environment actually stimulates sleep, so lowering your thermostat may even help you get the rest you need.
You could also consider investing in a smart thermostat. This will help you schedule temperatures for a heating/cooling routine and also enables you to change the temperature from anywhere. Let’s say you leave the house and forget to adjust the smart thermostat to save costs — you can make the adjustment straight from your smartphone.
3. Grab a Snuggie
Remember how your mom always said, “Put on a sweater if you’re cold!” One-up her and put on a sweater and a Snuggie. Send her a photo of yourself in your furry fleece-lined garb — she’ll be so proud.
4. Lower Your Thermostat
There’s no better way to warm up than by the power of the sun. Keep your curtains and blinds open during sunny days and allow for the rays to enter through windows and naturally warm your home. At night, close the curtains to keep the warmth inside and prevent chilly windows from making the rooms cooler. Look into adding solar power to your home — solar energy is the most cost-effective form of energy.
5. Minimize Space Heaters
There are probably many rooms in your home that you only spend about 10–15% of your time in. So instead of wasting heat and money in those spaces, invest in one portable space heater that you can easily move around your home. You will ultimately save energy and costs when you lower your thermostat and only use one portable heater.
Convector heaters and standard radiators are said to be the best options for heating a room with the lowest cost.
6. Update Your Insulation
Double-check your windows and doors for any air leaks where the heat could seep out. Patch them up with weatherproofing strips or purchase plastic window coverings. Both of these methods prevent frigid drafts from entering your home. You can also invest in insulated curtains, which can help keep the cold outside and the warmth inside.
Lastly, check the insulation and ventilation in your attic to prepare your home for the cooler temperatures. Adding insulation can range from a $300–$1,000 investment, depending on the size of your home, but will ultimately improve energy efficiency and savings in all seasons. If you’re a renter, talk to your landlord about winterizing efforts you could work on together.
7. Close Your Chimney
Check the damper if your home has a working fireplace. The damper is located above the fire area and allows smoke to escape when in use. Closing the damper on your chimney will prevent heat from escaping in the cold winter months.
8. Use Rugs
Hot air rises, which means your floors are going to lose heat the quickest. Place rugs down to help keep the room warm if you have hard surface floors. Look for sales online or go to a local flooring store and ask about carpet remnants at a discounted price. You can often get really great deals, and if you only need them for the winter months, you don’t have to be as picky on color or style.
9. Opt for Energy-Efficient Appliances
Do some research on your current appliances and compare them online with other brands and newer models. Could you save energy by upgrading to a new appliance? It might seem like a big investment now, but over the course of just a year, you could already be getting all of that money back in energy savings.
First, start with your dryer. Dryers are the number one energy-consuming appliance in an average American household. If your dryer is pretty dated, upgrade to an Energy Star certified dryer and you could use 20% less energy.
It’s Time to Prepare Your Home
Explore all the nooks and crannies in your home. Take the proper precautions and plan accordingly so you can stay warm this winter and still be energy efficient. It’ll take some prep work, but you can quickly apply most of these tips — and you can implement some of them inexpensively. And if that energy bill sneaks up on you before you get your savings tips all dialed in, just grab a 0% APR Instacash advance to slay that bill.
