As the chill of winter descends, many of us brace ourselves for the inevitable rise in heating bills that accompany our attempts to keep our homes cozy and comfortable. It seems like a no-win situation – either we bundle up in layers of sweaters and blankets, or we dig deep into our pockets to pay the price of warmth. You just want some simple winter heating tips to help balance that out.
Yep, we got that for you. Easy, effective ways to keep your house warm in winter without breaking the bank. In this article, we will explore several winter heating tips and tricks to help you achieve just that – a warm, snug home that doesn’t empty your wallet.
Dress For The Weather
Resisting the winter chills does not necessarily mean cranking up the thermostat. Believe it or not, your choice of indoor attire can significantly influence your comfort level. Here’s how you can stay toasty without turning up the heat:
- Layer up smartly: Instead of a single thick garment, consider wearing multiple layers both on the upper and lower halves of your body. Layers help trap heat more effectively, keeping you warm.
- Mind your material: Remember, not all materials are equal when it comes to insulation. Jeans, being thin cotton, are poor at retaining heat. Opt for thicker, warmer fabrics.
- Footwear matters: Cold feet can make the rest of your body feel cold, too. Choose slippers that fully cover your feet for a warm and cushy feeling.
- Cover your cranium: A significant amount of body heat is lost through the head. Find a comfortable knit cap or warm hat to wear indoors.
- Keep your hands warm: Wear fingerless gloves. These handy accessories keep your hands warm while allowing the freedom to perform tasks like cooking, reading, or using your laptop.
- Embrace the blanket: A cozy blanket can be your best ally against the cold. Keep one handy, and snuggle up when you’re sitting or lying down.
By adopting these small changes in your attire, you can maintain a cozy indoor atmosphere without having the heating system work overtime. Not only does this save you money, but it also contributes to environmental conservation by reducing energy consumption.
Raise The Humidity
Increasing your home’s humidity levels in the winter isn’t just about staying warm; it’s also about promoting a healthier living environment. When the air is too dry, it can lead to a number of issues. Dry skin, irritated sinuses, and a higher risk of catching respiratory infections are just a few problems associated with low humidity.
By adding moisture to the air, you help to alleviate these issues while also making the air feel warmer. This is because humid air retains heat better than dry air, so you feel warmer at a lower thermostat setting, which translates to savings on heating costs.
As a bonus, a healthy level of humidity can also prevent your wooden furniture from drying out and cracking. So, not only does raising the humidity make your home more comfortable, but it can also be beneficial for your health and your wallet.
Reseal Windows and Doors
To retain the warm air within your home and keep the chilling winter drafts at bay, resealing windows and doors is a cost-effective and efficient strategy. Over time, the sealant around windows and doors can deteriorate, leading to small gaps that allow the heated air to escape, and cold air to come in.
By resealing these gaps using caulk or weatherstripping, you can significantly improve the energy efficiency of your home. This means that the warm air produced by your heating system will stay inside for longer, reducing the need for your heating system to work overtime. As a result, you’ll notice a marked decrease in your heating costs.
Moreover, resealing windows and doors enhances the overall comfort of your home during the winter months, as it helps prevent cold drafts that can make sitting near a window or door uncomfortable.
Remember, a well-sealed home is not just an energy-efficient one, but also a cozy winter haven.
Keep Your Furnace Well-Maintained
A well-maintained furnace is an essential part of keeping your home warm and your heating costs low during winter. Begin by inspecting and sealing any leaks in your air ducts. Leaky ducts can allow warm air to escape, resulting in higher energy consumption and wasteful heating. Use mastic sealant or metal tape, which are more durable and long-lasting than conventional duct tape, to seal any cracks or gaps.
Next, test the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of your furnace. This measures how efficiently your furnace converts gas into heating energy. A higher AFUE means greater efficiency and lower heating costs. If your furnace has a low AFUE, it may be time to consider replacing it with a more efficient model.
Regular cleaning is also a crucial part of furnace maintenance. Dust and debris can build up over time, reducing your furnace’s efficiency and potentially leading to breakdowns. Use a soft brush to clean the furnace’s blower, pulleys, and belts. You should also be replacing your furnace filter regularly.
Lastly, don’t forget to schedule a professional tune-up for your furnace each year before winter sets in. This will include a thorough inspection, cleaning, and any necessary repairs or adjustments. A professional tune-up will ensure that your furnace is in top condition and running at peak efficiency when you need it most.
Remember, a well-maintained furnace not only provides reliable warmth but also contributes significantly to energy efficiency, helping to keep your winter heating costs manageable.
Utilize a Programmable Thermostat
Incorporating a programmable thermostat into your home heating and cooling system is a highly efficient method to manage your home’s temperature at different times throughout the day. It eliminates the need to constantly regulate your thermostat and helps in conserving energy by automatically adjusting to pre-set temperatures. This tool is especially effective with air-conditioning systems and heating units other than heat pumps, and could help you save between 10% to 20% on your energy bill.
A programmable thermostat allows you to input different temperature settings for various parts of the day, such as morning, daytime, evening, and night. Most models include a manual override option for flexibility.
Installing a programmable thermostat is typically a straightforward process. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, you first remove the old thermostat and disconnect the wires from its terminals. The wires are then attached to the new thermostat’s terminals, and the device is affixed to the wall using mounting screws if required. If your heating and A/C units are separate but use the same thermostat, you might encounter four leads, two for each unit.
Here is an efficient daily programming schedule to help you keep your home just warm enough without wasting any extra energy while you’re at work or in bed for the night:
- 6:00 am to 9:00 am = 20°C
- 9:00 am to 5:30 pm = 16°C
- 5:30 pm to 11:00 pm = 20°C
- 11:00 pm to 6:00 am = 16°C
Install Energy-Efficient Insulation
A significant portion of your home’s heat can be lost due to poor insulation. Therefore, upgrading to energy-efficient insulation is an excellent strategy to reduce your winter heating bills. High-quality insulation limits heat loss by creating a barrier between the inside of your home and the colder outside environment.
This means that your heating system will need to work less to keep your home warm, lowering your energy consumption and, in turn, your utility bills. Insulation can be installed in various areas of your house, including the attic, walls, floors, and around ducts and pipes, each providing different benefits. For instance, attic insulation can prevent rising heat from escaping your home, while insulating around ducts and pipes can prevent heat loss during transit from your heating system to the rest of your house.
Remember, the better insulated your home is, the less energy you’ll need to expend on heating, making it both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
Install a Door Sweep
A door sweep is a simple and cost-effective solution to prevent drafts from entering your home, especially during the colder months. Not only does it help maintain the temperature inside your home, it also aids in reducing energy consumption by minimizing the need for continuous heating.
Installing a door sweep is a fairly straightforward process. Begin by measuring the width of your door to ensure you purchase a sweep that fits perfectly. Most door sweeps come in standard sizes, but it’s always beneficial to double-check.
Once you have the correct size, close your door and align the door sweep along the bottom. The flexible part of the sweep should just graze the floor. Mark this position with a pencil.
Next, use screws to attach the door sweep to the door. Some models might come with adhesive strips, but screws offer a more secure and long-lasting hold. Ensure that the door still opens and closes smoothly after the installation.
Regularly inspect the door sweep for any wear and tear and replace it when necessary. Remember, a well-installed door sweep not only aids in maintaining a comfortable interior temperature but also contributes to the overall energy efficiency of your home.
Other Things That Can Help Lower Your Heating Bill
Don’t make your heating system work any harder than it has to. Here are some additional tips to further reduce your winter heating costs:
- Close the fireplace damper when not in use to prevent warm air from escaping.
- Keep vents and radiators clear of obstacles, such as furniture or curtains, to allow proper heat flow.
- Keep your blinds or curtains open during the daytime to help create a “greenhouse effect” inside your home. At nighttime, though, be sure to close them again in order to keep out the cold.
- Clean and dust all radiators and heating vents.
- Seal off any unused spaces or rooms like garages, closets, and attics. Be sure to close off the heat in those rooms as well.
- Try not to use kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans as these pull heated air out of your home.
- Make sure your ceiling fans are lifting air up rather than pushing air down. You can do this by simply changing the direction each ceiling fan rotates. This will help better circulate heated air in your home.
- Prune back any shrubbery or trees that are blocking sunlight from entering your house.
- Try an electric blanket if you’re feeling cold at night as it’s less expensive than heating the entire room.
- Make sure all exterior vents (such as your clothes dryer) are well-sealed.
- Cover your water heater with an insulating jacket.
- Consider using a space heater for rooms you use the most often.
In conclusion, adopting these energy-efficient measures can significantly lower your winter heating costs. Not only will this save you money, but it also contributes to a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. As you implement these tips, remember that every step, no matter how small, aids in curbing energy waste and preserving our planet. So take the initiative, make these changes, and enjoy a warmer, greener home this winter season!
Originally published Dec 12, 2017; updated Nov 17, 2023
