The temperature continues to drop, making your energy bill climb higher and higher. It’s frustrating to pay hundreds of dollars to keep your home’s temperature above freezing, but there are easy ways to trim your bill. Implementing these changes in your winter routine can lead to big savings.
1. Utilize your ceiling fans. Ceiling fans are obviously handy in the summer, but they can actually warm rooms as well. Heat rises, but blades moving clockwise push warm air downward. To reverse your fan’s direction, simply flip the small switch on the body of the fan. It’s a free, easy trick that will make your rooms feel much warmer without cranking up the thermostat.
2. Use curtains wisely. The sun is a free source of heat, so keep your blinds open during the day. When the sun sets, close your curtains to prevent drafts from entering your home.
3. Insulate your windows. Windows are cited as one of the biggest proponents of heat loss. To reduce the likelihood of expensive, heated air escaping through your windows, purchase an at home insulation kit. These kits are typically inexpensive and easy to use, and they’re hardly noticeable if installed correctly. They are a great option for patio doors as well.
4. Turn down the temperature. Setting your thermostat temperature lower can shave three percent off your energy bill—per degree! But you don’t have to spend your time at home shivering in the name of saving money; layering on a sweater or wearing slippers will keep you warm despite the slightly cooler temperatures. Your bill will be so much lower that you won’t mind the extra layers. Bonus tip: You can turn down the temperature on your water heater too. Most water heaters are set to a default maximum of 140 degrees. It’s safe to lower it to 120 degrees, a simple savings hack that you won’t even notice—unless you take 140-degree showers.
5. Seal leaks. Air leaks in your home lead to chilly drafts and lost heat. Sealing them may sound daunting, but it doesn’t take as long as you think. There are many ways to seal small air leaks. Consider weather stripping for areas that require some mobility, such as doors, and caulk for leaks around objects that stay stationary. You should also consider tackling air leaks in your attic, where a large majority of your hot air is escaping from. This is a bigger task, but will lead to bigger savings. Check out this guide for all the information you need to seal your attic.
Use these tricks to stay warm this winter without breaking the bank. What are your favorite winter money saving hacks? Share them in the comments below!