Winter can be a very expensive season. Heating costs rank for many as a challenge during the winter months, and there are many other incidental bills that crop up as a result of the cold weather. In this article, we are going to look at a few ways that you can reduce your heating bill. We hope that you can use some of these easy, actionable tips to save money this winter.
Use a Lower Thermostat Setting
For every degree that you turn down on the thermostat, you will save an average of 3% on your heating bill for a 24-hour period. You can also try to set the thermostat to 68 during the day and maybe to the mid-50s during the night.
You can take it a step further and employ a programmable thermostat, which can save on average 10-20% on your energy bill. You can program your heater to turn on when you wake up, cool down when you leave for work, and warm up again when you get home, and cool down again when you go to bed.
Use Fans to Circulate Air
We’re talking about your ceiling fans. Set them on low and rotate them clockwise so that the cool air is pulled upwards, this causes the warm air that settles at the ceiling to be displaced and flow back down along the sides of the wall to the floor.
Use Space Heaters
If you’re going to be spending much of your time in one room, use a space heater and close the door to keep the heat in that room. Does it really make sense to heat the entire house if you routinely spend the majority of your time in one room? This solution doesn’t work for all situations but can be effective for a single person in a small apartment.
Apply Window Treatments
Windows are a focal point for heat loss. Applying heavy-duty plastic treatments to your windows can result in less heat loss. If you want to step things up, you can consider aluminum rollshutters that not only offer the most reduction in heat loss but will also keep your property cool in the summer months while protecting you from burglary and storm damage.
Add Insulation
Insulation is key to a warm environment. Adding insulation can make a huge difference in the winter months and can dramatically lower your heating costs. Like rollshutters, the cost can be higher than many of the other tips listed but the results are worth it.
Keep Vents and Radiators Clean
Though this is pretty obvious, we’re going to mention it because all too often central air vents get blocked by carpets or furniture and we don’t notice for days, and sometimes weeks. Ensuring that your vents and radiators are clear will allow you to get the most from your heating.
Add a Humidifier
A humidifier is not only practical, but it is also healthy. Moist air tends to retain heat better than cold air, and it makes it easier to breathe.
In Closing…
Using all or even some of these tips will lead to savings on your energy costs over time and represent a less energy-dependent and more sustainable way of life, which is good for your wallet and the environment.
