Keeping your home warm in the winter can be a challenge with heating bills taking up a larger portion of your budget. The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently projected that if winter is even a little colder than usual, energy bills could rise 15% for households that get their heat from electricity. Those who heat their home with natural gas might see a 50% jump, and households using heating oil and propane could see rates climb 59% and 94%, respectively.
Here are some ideas to help you reduce your heating costs and still keep your family warm.
Plug leaks in your home
The easiest and cheapest way to start improving your heating bill is to plug any drafty holes in doors or windows. You can line windows with clear plastic sheeting during the winter months to seal any cracks. Door thresholds can have an extra weather strip added or even cheaply blocked with a towel. Make sure any vents into your home, for instance a chimney or dryer vent are well sealed, and if you can close doors into rooms that are particularly exposed to drafts.
Invest in new windows
While you initial investment is going to be pricey, if you still have single pane windows in your home, or the windows are in poor repair or cracked, having them replaced now will pay out over time.
Utilize heating hacks
If you have a radiator attached to an external wall, don’t let the cold wall suck up your precious warmth, put some aluminum foil behind the radiator. The reflective nature of the aluminum foil will stop heat from disappearing through the wall and reflect it back into the room. Keep furniture away from blocking heating vents. You can also close vents and then close doors to unused rooms and only heat portions of the house that are regularly occupied. You can also insulate hot water pipes and add additional insulation to your attic space to keep the heat in.
Buy a smart thermostat
A smart thermostat, which automatically adjusts your home’s heating and cooling system when you’re at home or away, typically costs a couple hundred dollars and can make a dent in your utility bill. According to Nest, a popular smart thermostat, a household will typically save 10% to 12% on their heating costs and 15% on their cooling. These thermostats can be programmed to change the temperature when people aren’t home, so that you’re not keeping a home toasty around the clock.
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Run ceiling fans
Ceiling fans aren’t just for keeping cool in the summer. Heat rises, so by running your ceiling fan in the winter it will push the warmer air down toward the floor.
Draw the shades
Installing and using drapes over your windows will help insulate the cold coming in through windows from the rest of the room and reduce heat escaping. Be sure to open any drapes on south-facing windows during sunny days as well. The extra warmth from the sun can make a difference in the temperature of your home.