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December 10, 2024
There's nothing better than feeling warm and cozy in your home—except saving energy and money while doing it. The good news? You can achieve both with simple, affordable steps that don’t require much effort or hiring a professional. Here are seven energy-saving tips you can try this winter to make your home more efficient and comfortable.
Can you see sunlight peeking through the sides or bottom of your front or back door? If so, cold air is likely sneaking in while your heated air escapes. Seal the gaps by:
If you have an attached unheated garage, don’t forget to weatherize the door leading to your home as well.
Windows are another source of drafts, especially older ones. Two easy steps you can take are adding weatherstripping around the sides and applying plastic around them to stop drafts.
Learn more about weatherstripping.
Do you feel a draft near your outlets or light switches? If so, they may not be insulated properly. Pre-cut foam gaskets can fix this. Simply:
It may seem counterintuitive, but a ceiling fan can be used in the winter to save energy. Set your ceiling fan to run clockwise so it can pull heated air from the ceiling down towards you. This makes you feel warmer without having to raise the thermostat.
A clean furnace filter will keep your unit running efficiently while reducing the effort it takes to heat your home. This means it’s important to swap your filter out when it’s dirty, or at least once every three months at a minimum. A dirty air filter can also cause your system to shut down, which is a surprise no one wants in the middle of winter.
If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, use it to adjust temperatures around your schedule. You can set it lower while you are sleeping and away from home, and have it set to warm up your house when you wake up or before you return home.
Note: If you have a heat pump, avoid temperature setbacks. Heat pumps work best when you set the temperature at a consistent and comfortable temperature and leave it there.
It’s a good idea to open your drapes and curtains on south-facing windows during the day to let in natural warmth from the sun.
Nighttime is a different story. Close all curtains or drapes and consider using heavy curtains or thermal drapes, which can cut heat loss by up to 10%.
Learn more about efficient window coverings
Fireplaces add warmth and ambiance, but an open damper can let warm air escape. Don’t forget to close the damper after the fire is extinguished and the ashes have cooled to reduce heating loss.
Are you looking for more ways to save energy and money year-round? Check out our Electric Bill Advice program or contact our customer support team at 877-889-3777 for personalized tips to save energy for your home.
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