This is a sponsored post. The opinions in the post are honest although it is a sponsored post. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.
Several factors influence how much energy you use daily in your home, and these can significantly impact the cost of heating your home. Things like the heating system you have, whether you are using a traditional fireplace or a modern heater, and what condition your home is in overall can really affect your heating bills in the cold season.
Depending on your approach to heating, you might be using more energy than you need. A set-it-and-forget-it approach can lead to wasted energy sites throughout the home. And even small issues and minor wastes can add up when days, weeks, and months meld together.
So, what can you do to make sure the winter heating costs don’t get too out of hand? Here are five tips that can help lower that energy bill and help you stay comfortable without constantly cranking up the thermostat.
Why Is My Heating Bill So High in the Winter?
The condition of your home has the most direct and significant impact on how easily your home heats up and how well it holds on to that heat. Older homes are often lacking insulation, energy-efficient systems, and have structural issues, all of which make it easier for cold air to seep in and increase energy use.
According to Energy.gov, “ An older heating system is likely to use more fuel and energy than a newer system or a system that’s designed to be energy efficient. Energy efficiency is measured by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). The higher the AFUE, the more efficient a system is. Older furnaces typically have an AFUE below 70%, while newer, high-efficiency models often have an AFUE above 90%.”
Remodeling a home to make it more energy-minded, or moving into a newer home that is designed for energy efficiency is not an option for most people. Thankfully, there are still things that you can do to lower energy use and keep that bill as low as possible, even during the chilly winter months.
How to Reduce your Heating Cost
1. Bundle Up and Dress in Layers
The more clothing that goes on your body, the less external heating you will need to stay warm. Chances are, you will notice a difference if you add a thin flannel layer under your shirt, wear wool instead of cotton, or just throw a baggy comfortable sweatshirt on over everything else. Dressing in layers also helps as you can easily add and remove a layer as your body warms up or cools down, depending on what you are doing at any moment. An extra blanket on the bed or couch can also go a long way in keeping warm, especially at night when the sun goes down.
2. Use the sun
Speaking of the sun, it is a natural source of not just light but of heat as well, something that can be hard to remember when the temperatures start to fall. You might see less of the sun depending on where you are in the country, but unless you live in the extreme north, you will still have some sun each day. You can use the heat from the sun's rays to help warm things up during the day by opening the curtains as much as possible. Once the sun starts to go down and things cool off, you can close the curtains and put up additional covers to keep the cold from creeping in through the glass.
3. Close off Unused Rooms
Depending on the size of your home and family and how much time you spend in the home during the winter, you might want to think about closing off some rooms during the day. There is no need to heat the unused areas of your home. You can simply close the door, so the heat in the rest of the home doesn’t dissipate into rooms not currently occupied. If there are areas in the home you don’t use much at all, you could close off the vents and ducts to that room to keep the heat going into the spaces you are using. Just be mindful that rooms with plumbing and pipes should never be allowed to freeze.
4. Turn the Thermostat Down
Regulating your home’s temperature can be a challenge, and the constant on-and-off cycling of the heating system can use a lot of energy. Keeping the thermostat in one place can lead to a dramatic decrease in how much energy you use in the winter.
Lowering the thermostat can also have a considerable impact, as studies have shown that keeping your home just 10 degrees cooler can help you save up to 10% on the heating bill. Lowering the heat when you are away at work and sleeping at a cooler temperature at night can also keep the system from kicking on as often.
5. Keep Doors and Windows in Good Shape
Even the most efficient heating system can only do so much if the heat it produces can’t stay in the home. There are many places where cold air can creep in, and hot air can escape, primarily the windows and doors. Gaps under the doors, loose hinges, windows that are uneven, and less energy-efficient models can all make heat and cold exchange happen more quickly. Window upgrades to new styles and new doors made of new materials can help keep the heated air in your home where it is needed. It is a simple step that will definitely keep you warm all winter long!
By following these simple steps, you can help save yourself money by lowering that heating bill and reducing energy consumption during the winter. Contact our home care experts to learn more and to be prepared for winter- without breaking the bank on energy bills!
