Need energy-saving tips to keep your heating costs low this winter? With temperatures dropping right around the corner, every little kilowatt can help keep your bill low. Let’s talk about some of the best strategies to try.
Use a smart thermostat
If you’re tired of constantly fiddling with the thermostat, invest in a smart one. A smart thermostat learns your daily routine — like when you’re up and about, or when you’re cozied up under the blankets — and adjusts the temperature accordingly.
And here’s the best part: You can control it from your phone. So, if you’re coming home earlier than expected or decided to stay out longer, you can easily tweak the temperature remotely. That said, it’s no wonder why smart and programmable thermostats are a must-have for strategic home heating.
Chris Taylor from Scottish Energy Saving offers a great tip for making the most out of your smart thermostat. “Use the thermostat’s learning features for a few weeks and make manual adjustments as needed. Over time it will learn your preferences,” he advises.
Increase the thermal mass in your home
According to Architect Magazine, thermal mass refers to materials in your home, like concrete, brick or stone, that can absorb, store and slowly release heat. Think of it as your home soaking up the warmth during the day and gradually releasing it as the evening cools, naturally keeping your home cozy without constant thermostat adjustments.
“Place furniture and drapes so the sun can hit them during the day and absorb the warmth. Close the curtains at night to keep the heat in and let the thermal mass radiate the warmth back into the room,” says Taylor. “This will help keep the temperature steady and reduce heating costs.”
Trap in the heat
Trapping in the heat means keeping the warmth you’ve generated inside your home, so it doesn’t leak and run up your heating bill. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to do that.
First, fix any issues that can lead to heat loss, such as poor insulation or drafty windows, says Alan Houghton and Gordon Chalk from Next Level Underfloor Heating. “Do a DIY home energy audit with a candle or incense stick. Move it around doors, windows and baseboards — anywhere air can leak. If the smoke wavers, you have found a draft. Seal these gaps with weatherstripping, caulk or outlet gaskets to keep more heat in.”
“You can also install draft stoppers at the bottom of doors and weatherstripping around windows to keep cold air out,” they add. Making these easy fixes can make a huge difference in heat retention.
Use your curtains strategically
Using your curtains strategically is a simple yet effective way to keep your home warm and cozy without cranking up the heat. Think of your curtains as an extra layer of insulation for your windows that help trap the warmth inside when you need it most.
According to Olga Galenko from Home Alliance, you should open your curtains wide during the day to let in as much sunlight as possible. The sun’s rays naturally warm up your home, especially if they hit areas with high thermal mass like stone floors or brick walls.
Then, as the sun sets and the temperature drops, close your curtains to keep that heat from escaping. “Heavy, insulated curtains can be particularly effective,” she adds.
Clean your filters
Over time, the filters in your heating system can get clogged with dust, dirt and other debris. When this happens, your system has to work harder to push warm air through your home, which not only wears out the system faster but also uses more energy, driving up your costs.
Brew a holiday coffee and get motivated to clean or replace your filters at least monthly during peak usage and once every three months for the rest of the year. If you have underfloor heating, Houghton and Chalk recommend having a professional technician maintain it annually. Of course, minimizing dust and dirt by cleaning and vacuuming regularly is also a good idea.
Close vents in unused or rarely used rooms
“If you have any rooms that you rarely go into, close the vents,” says Dan Staupe from Compass Exteriors. By closing the vents in those spaces, you can redirect the warm air to the rooms you actually spend time in, which makes your heating system work more efficiently.
Just be sure not to close too many vents at once, as this could cause a pressure buildup in your system. But closing off one or two unused rooms can be a great way to keep things cozy where you need them and cut down on your heating bill at the same time.
Reverse your ceiling fans
Most people think of ceiling fans as a tool to cool down in the summer, but they can be just as useful in the winter. “In the winter months, reverse the direction of your ceiling fans and spin them clockwise at a low speed to push the warm air that rises to the ceiling back down into the room,” recommends Houghton and Chalk.
Upgrade your insulation
If you have a bigger home, consider insulating the basement or attic to increase heat retention. Plus, Taylor suggests using advanced materials like spray foam or insulated panels, which retain heat better than others.
“Consider adding a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system when upgrading your HVAC system,” he adds. An HRV can combat poor ventilation by extracting heat from outgoing air and transferring it to incoming fresh air. Aside from keeping your heating costs down, it can also improve your indoor air quality.
Turn off your humidifier
Turning off your humidifier might sound counterintuitive, but it can help lower your heating bill in certain situations. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can make the air feel warmer and more comfortable, but they also require energy to operate. If your home already has adequate humidity or if you’re in a climate where the air isn’t too dry, running a humidifier might be an unnecessary extra load on your energy usage.
Also, during the colder months, your heating system can naturally raise the indoor humidity level as it runs, especially in well-insulated homes. If your home is already comfortable, you might not need the added moisture. If you must use one, make sure to clean your humidifier thoroughly, so it’s not consuming extra energy.
Avoid a sky-high heating bill with these easy tips
By using these energy-saving tips, you can stay warm and keep your heating costs in check this winter. Don’t let the cold weather take a toll on your wallet — try out these strategies and enjoy a cozy home without the extra expense.
Jessica Haggard is the creator of the blog Easy Homemade Life. She inspires and supports homemakers with easy recipes, natural home cleaning tips and DIY tutorials for personal care products to promote a happy and healthy home environment.