A recent survey discovered that about 10% of homeowners say that their electric bill is their biggest monthly expense during cold weather. There’s various reasons that cause your electric bill to go up in the winter. However, it doesn’t have to be this way though. In fact, you should know that reducing your electricity usage isn’t only possible, it’s also good for your pocketbook and for the planet too. Fortunately, lowering your electric bill during the winter isn’t difficult to do.
Let the Sun Heat Your Home
Let the sun bring most of the heat into your home. This is as easy as opening the curtains on your south facing windows and closing them when the sun goes down.
Add Layers of Clothing
The easiest way to save money on your electric bill during the winter is to add a sweater and some socks, instead of turning your thermostat up. You should also have some throw blankets available. Area rugs will also keep your floor warmer.
Use Ceiling Fans Correctly
Good ventilation and airflow make homes more energy efficient throughout the year. This is something a ceiling fan will help you with. It’ll give you control over your home’s ventilation. Simply turn it counter-clockwise to push hot air up in the summer and clockwise to trap heat inside your rooms during the winter.
Monitor Your Thermostat
The U.S. Department of Energy says you can save about 10% each year on your heating bill, simply by turning your thermostat down 10 – 15 degrees for 8 hours each day. This is something you can easily do at night by adding flannel sheets and a warm comforter to your bed. Read our recommended temperature to set your thermostat during the winter guide for more information.
Only Heat the Rooms You Use
Seal off the vents in rooms that you don’t use. This way you can direct the air flow to those rooms that you use the most.
Use a Space Heater
Instead of paying outlandish heating bills, set your thermostat to 62 degrees and forget it. You can use space heaters in rooms where you need more warmth. This will save you an average of $200 per year.
Maintain Your Furnace
A clean, unblocked furnace requires less energy and saves you more money. This is why you’ll want to check your furnace and its vents each month. Make sure you replace your filter when it’s dirty.
Use a Humidifier
Your home’s air can become really dry. Warm air is better though, because it feels warmer since it can hold heat better. This is why you should add a humidifier to keep you comfortable when you keep your thermostat turned down. House plants also work well in this regard. Humidifier electricity consumption is very low and it won’t drain your pockets like other high-consuming electric items.
Add Insulation to Your Home
People lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in electric bills yearly, because their homes are improperly insulated. Make sure you aren’t losing money by buying some inexpensive insulation to stick in the areas of your home where heat escapes from. While you’re at your local home improvement store you should also buy some weather stripping for your doors and windows.
Use LED Holiday Lights
While you may not think that you’d save money on your electricity bill by buying new holiday lights, you will if they’re LED. This is because they take 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lights. They’re also less likely to break, which makes them a safer alternative. Once you have them up, make sure you always unplug them before you go to bed or leave home so they don’t continue drawing power when not in use, thus adding to your electric bill.
Don’t Use Exhaust Fans Too Often
Your kitchen and bathroom’s exhaust fans pull the hot air in those rooms out of your home. You don’t want them to do this in the winter, so make sure you only use them sparingly.
