7 Energy-Saving Habits That Will Quietly Slash Your Bill This Winter
Key Points
- Adjusting your thermostat is the most effective way to lower your utility bill in the winter months.
- Finding and sealing drafts will reduce heat loss, resulting in lower energy consumption.
- Thermal curtains can help hold heat inside, especially if you have older windows.
For many homeowners, winter is a time of high utility bills. Most of this seasonal energy-usage spike is due to heating the home, but other contributing factors can be adjusted or eliminated to lower your winter utility bill.
We asked energy experts for their best winter energy-saving habits you need to try, and how to save money this winter.
Meet the Expert
- Matt Sharpe is a Senior Engineering Consultant at Efficiency Vermont.
- Sequoya Cross is the Vice President of Energy Storage for Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions.
- Nick Barber is Co-Founder of Utilities Now.
Adjust the Thermostat When You’re Away
One of the simplest winter energy-saving tips is also one of the most effective. Adjusting your thermostat when no one is home prevents your furnace from maintaining an unnecessarily warm temperature.
However, adjusting the temperature too much can put unnecessary strain on your heating system when it comes time to heat the home back up to a comfortable temperature, while drastic drops in temperature can put your plumbing at risk of freezing.
For best results, Matt Sharpe, Senior Engineering Consultant at Efficiency Vermont, says lowering the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can make a big difference.
“You can also lower the temperature when you’re sleeping,” says Sharpe.
Tip
For effortless energy savings, Sharpe recommends swapping your thermostat for a smart thermostat or programmable thermostat, which can automatically adjust the temperature depending on the time of day and week.
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Open and Close Curtains Strategically
According to Sequoya Cross, Vice President of Energy Storage for Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions, you can use your curtains to your advantage to heat your home without turning up the thermostat.
“Open the blinds and drapes during the daylight hours when rooms get the most sunlight, then close them once the sun goes down so you can trap the ‘natural’ heat inside,” she recommends. “It’s a great way to lessen some of the chill of winter.”
Seal Drafts
If your home has drafty windows and doors, your heating system is having to work overtime to maintain the set temperature. Both Cross and Sharpe emphasize the importance of sealing doors and windows before winter to prevent heat loss.
There are many ways to seal up drafts and air leaks, but Nick Barber, Co-Founder of Utilities Now, says replacing weatherstripping, using draft stoppers, and sealing small cracks are among the most effective and could reduce your heating bill by as much as 10%.
Turn Down Your Water Heater
If you regularly blend cold water into your sink or shower to make the water more comfortable, your water heater is likely set unnecessarily high. Barber says lowering the set temperature could result in a lower utility bill.
“Many water heaters are automatically set at 140 degrees, which may be excessive for your needs,” he says. “If you turn it down to 120 degrees, you could save six to 10 percent of your water heating bill with little or no effect on your shower experience.”
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Did you know that the little switch on your ceiling fan will reverse the fan’s direction? While this may seem inconsequential, it can make a big difference in the winter months, as it changes how the fan circulates air throughout the space.
“[Reversing your ceiling fan] circulates warm air that rises to the ceiling back down into the room, making it feel warmer without turning up the heat,” says Barber, adding that this trick is especially helpful for rooms with high ceilings.
Use Insulated Curtains
If your windows are particularly drafty, Barber recommends installing thermal or insulated curtains to keep the warm air inside, which he says is particularly helpful for older windows that aren’t energy efficient.
Layer Up
In the summer, you may be used to walking around the house in shorts and a T-shirt, but continuing this habit in the winter will naturally make you feel colder.
Before you reach for the thermostat, Barber recommends layering up. You may even find you can lower your thermostat by 2 to 3 degrees just by wearing more clothes.
“Small adjustments can cut your heating bill up to around five percent,” he says. “It may require a new habit of wearing an extra layer, socks, and throws around the house, but you’ll easily stay warm without relying solely on your furnace.”