High winter heating bills might seem like a “grin and bear it” proposition. After all, you have to heat your home. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to just shell out the maximum amount. There are several ways you can keep your home toasty more efficiently, saving yourself as much as 20% on your winter bills.
- Turning down the thermostat to a lower temperature on a regular basis
- Don’t run the thermostat while you are away or while you sleep
- If you find yourself forgetting to turn off the thermostat, invest in a programmable version
- Layer clothing so you don’t need as much heat
- Open blinds or curtains during the day to let heat from sunlight accumulate
- Close blinds or curtains at night to help trap in the heat
- Use fans to push heat around your home
- Keep the fireplace damper closed when the fireplace isn’t in use
- Remove any obstructions from heating vents
- Try to concentrate your activities in one room and close vents or doors to other rooms
- Search for gaps or cracks around doors or windows and block them with door sweeps or caulk, respectively
- Apply weather stripping to doors and windows
- Seek out other spots that might be letting heat escape by walking around your home with a lit incense stick to detect any drafts
- Have a qualified professional check your duct work
- Insulate any heating ducts that may be exposed to the cold
- Turn down the temperature of your water heater to no higher than 120 degrees
- Insulate your water heater and pipes
- If you don’t have storm windows, apply plastic film to your non-view windows
- Cover in plastic any doors that won’t be used during the winter, like an attic door
- If you are a homeowner in Massachusetts, register for a free Mass Save Home Energy Assessment
- If you live outside of Massachusetts, ask your utility company if they perform free energy efficiency audits and take advantage of their tips if they do
- Have your furnace inspected and invest in any repairs that could make it more efficient; this could be included free in your contract for utility service
- Add insulation in your home, especially in the attic, basement, crawl spaces or garage
- Consider replacing a furnace, appliances or windows that are costing you money over newer models
- Search out loans, discounts, rebates or tax credits for energy-saving products
- Vacuum dust out of radiator vents frequently
- Consider using an electric blanket instead of running the heat
- Explore alternative heating methods like solar heating panels or a wood burning stove
- Check to see if you qualify for heating bill assistance from the state or federal government
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