Learn About Home Energy Saving Tips for Winter

You may be curious about the best energy saving tips for winter if you live in a climate with brutally cold months. There are many different types of heating systems that your home may be equipped with, but the maintenance and efficiency of your system is of the utmost importance when it comes to energy usage. It is important to analyze the functionality of your heating equipment if you are attempting to maintain an energy efficient home. This can include obtaining a home energy audit to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

You may also be unsure of what to set the thermostat in winter for your heating system since this is what determines how much energy or fuel your heating system will use. It is important that you and your family stay comfortable throughout the colder months, especially if you live with an elderly or disabled family member. To learn about finding the right thermostat setting for winter and about maintaining an energy efficient home in the cold months, read through the following sections.

General Energy Saving Tips for Winter

If you are looking into how to lower your electric bill in winter months, keep in mind there are several simple and inexpensive tasks you can complete to achieve a lower utility bill. By simply paying attention to how you and your family members use energy during the winter months, you can implement small changes to make your home more energy efficient. It is important to:

• Check your heating system’s filter regularly and clean or replace it when necessary.
• Complete repairs on your heating system as needed to prevent larger issues.
• Keep all parts related to your heating element free and clean from debris or dust.

If your main concern is how to reduce your gas bill in winter months, your home is likely heated by a boiler system. If it seems that your boiler system is inefficient and uses excessive gas to heat your home, you may need to repair or replace the unit. If it has been several years since it has been serviced or if your heating element uses outdated technology, a replacement may also be in order. You should consult a professional about your options. While a new system may seem like a big expense, it can save you money on heating your home in the long run if you ask to install an energy efficient unit.

What to Set the Thermostat in Winter

If you have a high electric bill in winter, you may need to analyze your family’s habits during the winter months to increase your home’s energy efficiency. While you want all family members to be comfortable throughout the colder season, you should attempt to set the thermostat as low as possible while still maintaining a level of comfort for the household. You should also consider turning your thermostat down when you leave your home or if you go out of town. However, be considerate of other family members who are in the home or pets who must stay there while you are gone.

If you are looking into how to conserve heat in your home but you feel your thermostat setting is as low as you can comfortably set it, you have additional options to increase energy efficiency in your home. You should place your hand around your door and window frames. If you feel cold air coming into the room, you may need to have these items replaced or resealed. By resealing your windows and doors, you can keep the hot air that your heating system produces inside the home while ensuring the outside cold air cannot get in.

Also, consider opening drapes and blinds on your windows in the middle of the day. If the sun is out, the heat from the sun can come in through your windows and heat your home by a few degrees. At night, it is important to shut the window coverings, including all drapes and curtains. While these do not provide thick insulation from the cold, these elements can help to ensure the outside cold air has an extra layer to get through before entering the home. This may not be the solution to heat your entire home, but it can help your heating system so it does not have to work as hard at warming up your space.

How to Lower the Electricity Bill in Winter Months in an Apartment

If you are looking into how to save on heating costs in an apartment, you may feel you do not have a lot of options for increasing your home’s energy efficiency. As a tenant, you probably are not looking into adding more insulation or replacing the heating system yourself since these are the responsibilities of the building owner. However, you can ensure the element is working properly and contact your landlord if you feel it needs maintenance, repairs or replacement. Some property owners may be able to obtain an Energy Efficient Mortgages to improve properties and appliances for you and any future tenants.

Additionally, if you have a high winter electric bill, you can consider investing in a space heater. These small heaters do not cost much money and you can carry one around with you into whatever room you spend time in. Some space heaters are extremely powerful and can heat the whole room, giving your apartment’s heating system a break and lowering your utility bill.

If you want additional energy saving tips for winter in your apartment, consider cleaning around the baseboard heaters and radiators, if your heating system has these elements. Dust and debris can get trapped in these places and can lead to inefficiency. Your warm-air registers should also be cleaned, if needed, and you should consider installing radiator reflectors between the radiator and exterior walls. This small addition can allow your heating system to warm up the apartment much faster. To reduce the electric bill in winter, you can also check your door to ensure it has a tight seal. If not, you can place a rolled towel at the bottom of the door to ensure no hot air escapes or cold air comes in through the gap.