How to Lower Your Heating Bills This Winter
Every year as the cold weather starts to creep in, millions of households ask the same question, “Should we turn on the heat yet?” And if you are like most, you will wait as long as possible to answer “yes” to that question. It’s unfortunate that so many spend so much time at an uncomfortably cold temperature in their home just to avoid the high cost of heating it. We all have the right to be warm and make use of the heaters we’re so fortunate to have – because so many aren’t so lucky at all. If you dread the bill that will arrive after you start using your heater for the winter, here are some ways that you can lower your heating costs without freezing.
Lower the Thermostat
If you lower the temperature on your thermostat by just a couple degrees, you will shave a significant percentage of the cost off your heating bill. Play around with your thermostat to find a temperature that is comfortable for you and your family. You might be surprised that by going down even just one degree, you don’t notice such a drastic difference in comfort.
Lower the Thermostat, Part 2
Lowering your temperature is so important to lowering your heating bill, it requires a revisit. Not only should you lower the thermostat on a regular basis while you’re home, you should also get in the habit of lowering it even more degrees at certain times. For example, whenever you leave the house for more than a couple hours. You won’t be home, so don’t pay for the heat you’re not using. Most heaters work well enough that it won’t take too long to reheat the whole house upon your return. Also, if you have a two-story house where everyone sleeps on the second floor, lower the heat on the ground floor once everyone goes to bed every night. If you leave on vacation for several days, however, don’t turn the heat off completely or you risk frozen pipes. Leave it on just enough, like somewhere in the 50’s.
Check for Drafts
Check every single window and door in your home for drafts. If cold air is getting in, this will greatly increase the heat you waste. Use weather stripping or caulk to fix drafts. You can even buy decorative fabric door stoppers to keep at the bottom of your doors and ward off cold air. If you need to repair a broken window or door, do so because it will be worth it in the long run considering the effect it will have on the efficiency of your heater.
Bundle Up
If you’re cold, put on socks or layers; don’t just automatically turn up the heat. If you have your home heated so much that you can dress like you’re on a tropical island, you’ll be paying way too much. It’s the winter, so dress for it. If you’re cold when you’re wearing shorts and flip flops, you’re supposed to be! Put on some slippers and a long-sleeved shirt, and suddenly you’ll find the temperature actually is warm enough.
Check Your Heater
If you feel like you’re still paying way too much on your heating bill, have some routine maintenance done on your heater or furnace. At the very least, make sure you are using clean filters. Dirty filters or other performance or part issues will make your heater run a lot less efficiently and cost you big.
The Creative Labs at Grammarly grammar checker love to encourage people to take environmentally sound measures to help the environment while helping their pocket.
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