5 Winter Energy Saving Tips to Lower Heating Bills
Dec 20, 20225 Home Energy Saving Tips to Lower Heating Bills
Your Energy Bills are Going Up, and What to Do About It
As cold weather settles in, many homeowners are wondering how to save energy at home in winter and deal with rising heating costs. The US Energy Information Administration predicts that U.S. households will spend more on heating costs this winter as a result of higher fuel prices, inflation, and higher heating demand. As a result, homeowners can expect energy bills to rise as much as 28% over last winter, depending on how they fuel their homes.
At best, natural gas users should expect to see a 28% increase in heating costs, though that increase could rise to as much as 50% if the winter is colder than forecasted. Electricity users could see anywhere from a 10-20% increase in prices from the 2021-22 winter season, while propane users are likely to see increases from 5% to 36% depending on the impact of cold winter weather.
How to lower heating bills with 5 Winter energy saving tips
Colder temperatures and higher energy bills? It’s a recipe for a miserable winter in more ways than one. And even if winter weather stays above predicted cold temps, drafty windows can cause a dramatic decrease in home comfort (and an increase in heating bills) as you turn the thermostat up to compensate. With that in mind, here are five winter energy saving tips to help you lower your heating costs this winter.
Replace Your Windows
According to the US Department of Energy, inefficient windows are responsible for 25 to 30% of the energy used to heat and cool your home. And the older your windows are, the more inefficient they become. This comes from the breakdown of window seals, and drafts that develop around the window frame over time.
Replacing your windows can have a major, positive impact on your heating costs this winter – but only with proper installation. Look for energy-efficient windows with smart window glass and non-metal spacers. These components create windows that keep energy loss to a minimum.
Improveit’s Performax54 windows are a perfect example. Our Thermostat glass works with the climate, allowing low-angle sunlight to enter your home in the winter so your furnace doesn’t have to work overtime. Pair that with our SolarGold spacers to prevent energy loss through the edges of the window, plus Air-Tight Installation, and you’ll have windows that work to help lower heating bills.
Keep the Curtains Open
Speaking of smart window glass, be sure to use your windows to your advantage in the winter by keeping curtains and blinds open as often as possible. Incoming sunlight will help increase your indoor air temperature without having to rely on the furnace. Having said that, sunlight can also have a negative effect on your home’s furnishings, causing fabrics, flooring, and other finishes to fade over time. Look for windows with at least three layers of Low-e protection to get the benefit of heat from the sun without the damaging UV effects.
Lower Your Thermostat
This may sound counterintuitive, but even a couple of degrees can make a difference in your home’s energy use. Energy.gov recommends setting your indoor air temperature to 68 F during a winter day, and even lower while you’re asleep or away from home. Why? The smaller the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall heating load will be.
Making thermostat adjustments incrementally can be easier than making a big jump all at once. Programmable thermostats help make the transition easy, so you can “set-it-and-forget-it,” and only turn the heat up if you get uncomfortable.
Change Your Ceiling Fan Direction
Most ceiling fans feature a switch that reverses the fan’s direction from counterclockwise in summer to clockwise in winter. Because of the angle of the fan blades, a ceiling fan running clockwise will redirect warm air back to the floor. The experts at Hunter say this trick is especially helpful for rooms with vaulted ceilings, and recommend running the fan on the lowest speed so you don’t create a breeze.
Seal Gaps & Add Insulation
Keeping warm, conditioned air where it belongs is crucial when strategizing how to lower heating bills. Attic insulation can be an easy step toward achieving that. The Insulation Institute has a handy guide to determine if your attic has enough insulation to keep your home comfortable. They recommend 16-18 inches of blown-in insulation to achieve R-49 in northern climates. Can you see the tops of the floor joists in your attic? If so, it’s time to bulk up your insulation.
Outside of your walls and ceilings, winter is an ideal time to seal gaps and cracks elsewhere in your home. These issues often go unnoticed during warmer months, but cause expensive energy loss. Draft-stops and gaskets around doorframes, as well as spray foam insulation to fill foundation gaps and cracks, can help minimize the effects of these sneaky drafts.
Improve Your Property & Save energy at home
The five steps we’ve discuss here are important parts of winter home maintenance, and does more than help you lower heating bills. It can also help you identify and prioritize your home improvement opportunities. For instance, air-sealing foundation cracks can help you reduce drafts, but don’t forget to have a construction professional assess your foundation in the spring. Remember, even small openings can allow moisture and pests into your walls, in which case high energy bills may become the least of your worries.
As you plan your to-do list, here’s a list of nine winter home maintenance tips to help you identify which projects are easy to DIY, and which are best left to the pros. If window replacement is on your list, be sure to give Improveit a call for a free consultation and home energy assessment. Along with a full lifetime warranty, you also get free annual window inspections to help ensure your Performax54 windows stay in top shape for as long as the home is standing!
