Keeping your bills lower in the winter months doesn’t mean that you need to spend your days shaking under the blankets. There are plenty of ways to stay warm and comfortable without breaking the bank and using more energy than you’d like. Take a look at a few of the simplest and cheapest energy-saving tips for this winter.
Nothing drives up utility bills quite like the harsh winter months in a home that’s not as energy-efficient as you’d like it to be. With temperatures below 32℉, it takes a lot of power to warm up a house with less-than-ideal insulation.
While the best course of action would be upgrading the heating units, investing in proper insulation, and switching to energy-efficient windows, all these steps require a hefty investment that’s simply not an option for many households. Still, all is not lost. A few affordable tips and tricks can help you stay comfortable and keep your energy bills low throughout winter.
Let some light in during the day
You don’t need expensive generators and solar panels to enjoy the benefits of solar power. All you need is a few south-facing windows.
Sunlight can work wonders for increasing the temperature inside your home even when it’s below freezing outside. Just make sure that you draw the curtains back on a sunny day and let the room bask in the sunlight.
However, don’t forget to close the curtains and pull down the blinds during the night – this will offer some added insulation and prevent the heat from leaking out through the windows.
Use rugs
Although hardwood floors add to the overall aesthetics of a room, sometimes the best thing you could do is keep them covered (at least in the winter months). Wooden floors have a low R-value, meaning they offer poor insulation and let the heat escape from your home.
If you want to preserve heat and make your home more comfortable, you should place a few area rugs (preferably made from wool) in the rooms you most commonly use. You can even take things a step further and hang decorative rugs on your walls for some added insulation.
Get rid of air leaks
Air leaks are the main reason why it’s difficult to increase the temperature in your home and keep the desired temperature, as well. A lot of heat escapes under your doors and around your windows, so you’ll need to check for any drafts that are driving up your energy bills.
The best fix for drafty doors and windows would be replacing them with energy-efficient alternatives. However, if that’s out of the question at the moment, you can install affordable weatherstrips and draft stoppers around the doors and windows. Alternatively, you could simply place towels and blankets around the draftiest openings.
Use your thermostat wisely
Ideally, you’ll want to invest in a smart, programmable thermostat that keeps the indoor temperature cooler but still at a comfortable degree. If you’re not yet ready to replace your current thermostat, you can instead start using it wisely.
Set it at the lowest temperature that you feel comfortable with while you’re home. Turn the heat off while you’re away and set the thermostat about 15 degrees lower than usual while you sleep. You’ll still feel comfortable, but your energy bills at the end of the month will be significantly lower.
Schedule a no-cost home assessment to keep your bills lower
Following these simple tips and tricks can help you reduce your energy bills this winter. However, if you want a truly energy-efficient home, you’ll need to schedule a home assessment.
Mass Save® home energy assessment through Neeeco is a simple, free audit that looks into your home’s energy efficiency and provides you with a thorough insight into areas for improvement. Through Mass Save®, you can find whether you’re eligible for rebates and incentives and save money on energy-efficient home improvements.