How to Lower Electricity Bills During the Winter

As the temperature gets colder, 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 experiencing a cold front in the South or blizzards in New England, try these suggestions to save money on electricity bills 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, sealant or expanding foam to fill these leaks. Also, don’t forget to close the fireplace damper when not in use. Fully addressing drafts in your home may save up to 20% on heating costs.

Program Your Thermostat

A programmable thermostat is a great way to manage your heating bills. Set your thermostat to around 68 degrees F when you’re home during the day, and decrease it 7 to 10 degrees down when you’re not home or in bed. With the automatic adjustments of smart thermostats, you can have the heat come back up to fit your comfort before you get home or wake up in the morning. You shouldn’t notice a change in comfort, but you’ll certainly notice the savings—up to 10% a year. If your home uses a heat pump or radiant floor heating, check that you use a thermostat capable of working with these systems to maintain efficiency.

Draw on the Sun’s Free Heat

During daylight hours, open all the curtains and blinds on windows that face south to take advantage of the natural heat from the sun. Then, draw the curtains when the sun goes down to keep that heat in and block out the nighttime cold.

Supplement Existing Insulation

If your home’s attic or walls lack sufficient insulation, 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 already has some insulation, ensuring you have ENOUGH can further boost your energy savings.

Don’t Put Off Maintenance for Your Heating System

Routine HVAC maintenance keeps your heating system running efficiently, which lowers expenses. Plan an annual checkup with a maintenance technician every fall to ensure optimal performance all winter. During the rest of the year, change the air filter approximately every one to three months. A fresh air filter restores airflow while it also lowers energy consumption to keep your home warm.

Rely on Space Heaters Appropriately

Space heaters can provide a quick burst of warmth, but they’re also high-energy consumers. Instead of using them in every room, limit their use to when and where you really need them. For the best energy savings, try to stick to energy-efficient space heaters with thermostats.

Add a Warm Layer Inside

Layering up isn’t the most fun option for lowering your thermostat, but every little bit helps! Put on a warm sweater, some thick socks and keep a throw blanket nearby. Then, go ahead and lower the temperature 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 drop the temperature.

Stick to Energy-Efficient Appliances

Older appliances and HVAC systems are much less efficient. Once your furnace or water heater is due for an upgrade, choose an ENERGY STAR®-certified model to reduce expenses.

Use Ceiling Fans to Redistribute Heat

Ceiling fans can help in the winter too. Adjust your fans to turn clockwise on a low setting in the winter to redistribute warm air into the room. This quick and easy change spreads warmth more evenly throughout the space and cuts down on additional heating.

Don’t Leave All Electronics Plugged in

Many devices still draw power when plugged in, even when powered down. To cut down on “phantom” energy use, disconnect electronics like phone chargers, TVs and gaming consoles when not in use. Using switchable power strips helps keep it from being a hassle.

Adjust the Temperature of Your Water Heater

Your water heater is responsible for a large chunk of your energy bill, second only to the HVAC. Set the temperature to 120 degrees to save energy while still providing hot water for your household.

Take Advantage of Smart Home Technology

Smart thermostats, smart lighting and other energy-saving devices improve electricity usage. Not only can you schedule temperature adjustments, but you can control it from anywhere. Some can even learn your HVAC habits and tweak temperature settings on its own to maximize savings without sacrificing warmth.

Keep Your Home Warm Without Breaking the Bank

Use these helpful suggestions to keep your living space cozy this winter while saving on electricity bills. To help keep your heating system performing well, choose Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Our highly trained technicians deliver efficient and dependable services to meet everyone’s comfort needs. For Expert service you can trust, contact us today!