Saving on your heating bills during the winter is easier than many think. While some may claim substantial savings can only occur after an entire heating system revamping or a lofty project, you can lower your home heating bill by doing just a few fairly simple and straightforward tasks each winter. Here’s a simple checklist to get you on your way:
Change Your Air Filter
Many homeowners neglect to change their air filter, but it should be changed monthly. A dirty filter means both less clean air in your home and decreased efficiency as your heater wastes more energy while providing less heat. Make changing your HVAC filter monthly a habit, in addition to ensuring that there are no obstructions in front of any heating vents.
Embrace Insulation
Insulating your home isn’t expensive and it can make a big difference on heating efficiency. Your home’s draftiness is easy to test. On a windy day, place candles around potential problem areas — like window panes or door cracks — and if the candle flame dances or extinguishes, a void needs to be caulked up. The less cold air gets into your home, the less you’ll have to rely on your heat. Make sure not to neglect insulating your water heater and pipes as well, as freezing damage to those can be extremely costly.
Dress Warmly
Of course, one of the easiest ways how to lower your heating bill is to simply use less energy. You can save money by running the heat for a few hours before turning it off and adjusting your clothing accordingly. This is especially effective in homes that are caulked properly. In a properly insulated home the heat will linger for some time, while an extra sweater or layer can compensate for the slight decrease in temperature. An electric blanket is also a money-saving option.
Make Your Living Space Smaller
If you live in a larger space, strive to isolate the heat to areas you’ll be using the most. For instance, if you have a spare bedroom or other rooms that are rarely used, close their doors and don’t heat them if possible. This flexibility is easier with a thermostat, which leads us to:
Consider a Thermostat
EnergyStar says that a programmable thermostat can save a typical single-family home at least $200 per year in energy costs. This is mostly because the customization options are highly useful in saving energy. You can time the usage of your heat, opting to shut heat off while you’re at work and turn it on automatically before you get home, so your house is warm when you arrive but doesn’t waste energy all day. Some thermostats allow for individualized room control, which is another plus for efficiency.
Highlight Natural Light
Sunlight can be plenty strong even during the winter, so take advantage of any natural light opportunities your home has. Keep the shades open to allow sunlight during the day while shutting them at night. Sunlight’s mood-lifting benefits are certainly beneficial during the grey winter months as well. Just be sure to only open window coverings when they are receiving direct sunlight. This is because shades – and particularly shutters – help keep the cold out while they are closed.
Use Foam Gaskets for Light Switches and Outlets
Not many people know that foam gaskets are a great way to prevent drafts coming from light switches or outlets. Gaskets are cheap, too, even before you take a lowered heating bill into account. Simply insert these into your switches and outlets. Also be sure to caulk any problem areas near windows and doors to fully secure your home for the winter. Weather-stripping to prevent air leakage under doors is another option.
Evaluate Your Heating Methods
Consider the specific tools and products your home relies on for heating, particularly given recent events with the energy industry. For instance, households relying on heating oil may experience higher bills this winter due to supply shortages. If possible, adopting a cheaper method is certainly something to consider.
Speak With Your Utility Company
Some utility companies provide free energy efficiency audits. When combined with these tips, the audits should provide you with comprehensive information on energy costs and any heating efficiency issues, including where they are and how you can resolve them. Consulting your utility company or an expert in the field is a possibility to consider you still have issues after following these tips.
The various tips above should significantly aid in lowering you home heating bill this winter by making your home more efficient at transferring and retaining heat.
Photo Credit: leimenide
Anum,
Great article. One other thing you could mention is if your utility company has a “Time of Use” (TOU) program. You sign up to use a reduced amount of electricity at certain times. I pay 25 cents per kilowatt on peak hours (winter 6am to 8am, summer 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday) all other hours are nonpeak hours which is 5 cents per kilowatt. Through the year I save anywhere from $20 to $50 a month. During those hours I cut back the heat and air. I try not to do laundry, dishes, take showers. Anything that runs on 220 I try not to use during these hours. With this and the tips in your article you can save a bundle over time.
Those draft-stopper cloth tubes that you place against the bottom of your exterior doors are a big help. And, since they’re not attached to the door, they’re easily pushed out of the way when necessary.
Beware of closing off rooms and not heating them. Sometimes it throws the heating system out of balance and ends up costing more. A friend closed off rooms in her home in the mountains, thinking to save money. It actually caused her heating bills to rise!
A big thumbs-up on those draft-stoppers, Ellis. They work like a charm!
Does changing HVAC filters monthly apply to expensive 4″ thick filters?
Wilbur, thicker filters have more surface area and, therefore, hold more dirt. As such, their effectiveness should last longer than thinner, cheaper filters. I typically buy mid-range filters and change them out every 90 days, using the change of seasons as a reminder (i.e., change them on the summer and winter solstices, and the spring and fall equinoxes).
Burn firewood in an efficient, direct-radiating stove.
The Harman TL 300 is the best one we have had over the past 42 years.
Unfortunately, Harman has gone entirely to wood pellet stoves, but the TL 300 is still available, here and there.
replace the old windows! I cut nearly $200 off my winter bill just doing that. Those old panes get less efficient over time and are likely your #1 source of heat bleed
Good to know, Stacy. Thanks for the tip!
When considering replacement, what was the approximate cost per window?
Len, we replaced all our old Anderson insulating glass windows awhile back and got a Federal income tax credit. Current prices:
https://modernize.com/windows/energy-efficient
Thanks for that, Dave. I was curious because my double-pane house windows are now 23 years old and one of them lost its seal, so it collects condensation on really hot days.
I would stress checking the amount of insulation in your home’s attic, and see if it is sufficient for the region of the country you are living in. I noticed our home had four inches of cellulose insulation when we bought it, subpar for the Washington D.C. region. After being in the house for about 6 months, I started adding R30 rolled fiberglass insulation on top of the cellulose, completing the insulation installation over 3 months. After calculating the electric kilowatt usage (heat pump) against the cooling/heating degree days measured at a weather station near me for the past 6 years, I calculated my energy usage has gone down by 33%. Based on 12cents per kilowatt, that came out to $550 savings per year. My cost of insulating was covered in little over 2 years of electric usage savings. So check the insulation in your attic and see if it is sufficient. Many resources on the internet to see what is the optimal R-level for insulation for your region.
Hey … great tip. Brian! Thanks for sharing that. In fact, I’m going to check my insulation right now.
These are extreme energy savings for winter. If day/night temperatures are above 45 degrees, shut the heat. Only set thermostat 55 degrees night/60 degrees day. In Texas, without heat my home can be 64 degrees without heat. Put clear plastic over my large sky lights. One story home (typical Texas home with very tall roof) warmer air goes up in the sky lights (this is an advantage in summer). Clear plastic from the fabric store by the yard & use packing tape. It is not noticeable. My pool I only run once a week, if the outside temperatures are above 36 degrees. I have a timer with freeze guard on the pool. I will set the pool to run when the temps are 34 degrees and below. Under 36 degrees I just use the freeze guard which will turn on the pool automatically. My water temps are about 50 degrees or sometimes colder. One does not need to run the pool daily unless outside temps are freezing. I have researched this and it works. I have solar globe lights in yard & bring in at night to light the hall & bathroom. Keeping my lights on to a few, front door light & garage light when freezing temps to deter rodents.
My electric bill for January 440 kWh(.082kWh) for $44 transmission fees & taxes included, then I pay an extra $20 for using a non standard meter, total bill $64. Two refrigerators, pool, 2000 square foot home. In a cooler home, I sleep better under a 13 pound Korean mink blanket.
Thanks for the great tips, Jonathan!