Easy Ways to Lower Your Energy Use at Home This Winter

Winter heating is one of the biggest chunks of a typical household energy bill. The good news is that you can cut waste with small, inexpensive changes, and most take less than an afternoon.

You will not need special tools or a contractor for any of the ideas below. Start with the ones that fit your home and budget, and add more as you go.

Adjust your thermostat wisely

Lowering your thermostat by a few degrees while you are asleep or away can reduce heating costs over the season. A common guideline is about 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you are home and awake, and lower when you are out.

A programmable or smart thermostat can handle this automatically. If you have a basic one, just make a habit of turning it down before bed and when you leave the house.

Stop drafts where they start

Warm air escapes through small gaps, and those gaps add up. Check around windows, exterior doors, and places where pipes or wires enter the house.

Weatherstripping and caulk are inexpensive fixes for most leaks. A rolled towel or draft stopper at the bottom of a door also helps. On a cold day, hold your hand near the edges of a window or door to feel for moving air.

Make the most of your windows

Windows lose heat, but you can reduce the effect without replacing them. Clear plastic window film kits create an insulating air pocket, and thick curtains help hold in warmth at night.

During the day, open curtains on sunny, south-facing windows to let free solar heat in. Close them as the sun goes down.

Small habits that add up

• Replace or clean your furnace filter on the schedule your system recommends, since a clogged filter makes it work harder.
• Keep vents and radiators clear of furniture and rugs so warm air can circulate.
• Reverse ceiling fans to spin clockwise at low speed, which gently pushes warm air down from the ceiling.
• Wash laundry in cold water when you can, and run full loads in the dishwasher and washer.
• Switch to LED bulbs, which use far less electricity and give off less heat than older bulbs.

None of these is dramatic on its own. Together, they can make a noticeable difference over a few months.

Use the heat you already make

Open the oven door after baking, once you have turned it off, so the leftover heat warms the kitchen. Keep bathroom doors closed while you shower and let the steam escape into the house afterward if your humidity level is low.

Layers help too. Warm socks, a sweater, and a throw blanket let you stay comfortable at a lower thermostat setting, and they cost far less than extra heating.

Know when to call a pro

If a room is always cold, if your bills jumped without explanation, or if your furnace is making odd noises, a professional check may be worthwhile. Many utility companies also offer free or low-cost home energy audits.

Never use a gas oven, stove, or an outdoor grill to heat your home, as these can produce dangerous carbon monoxide. Make sure your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors have fresh batteries before the coldest weather arrives.

Start with one or two simple steps this week, such as sealing a draft and lowering the thermostat at night. You will likely feel more comfortable, and your next bill may show the difference.