I’m all about ways to save on heating right now. Because get this…Recently our utilities provider decided they would like to raise rates by 8% every year for the next few years until 2024. Rising heat costs are a fact of life, but there’s always ways that we can save money on heating.
(What that means for everyone is that their rates will rise by over 50% over the few years.My heart goes out to those people like my grandma on a fixed income.Because a rise like that will hurt these people the most. It’s going to hurt us too.)
Luckily there are a few things we can do to battle rising heating costs, no matter what type of heating you have.
Let’s save money on heating!
Table of Contents
Get a Programmable Thermostat
I wassurprised at how much this helped our bills. We had it set to drop at night, which was better for sleeping. Then the furnace would kick on before we got up, go back down while we were at work. The savings were significant.
Added bonus! Many companies are seeing the benefits and you can get rebates on your new thermostat. Make sure to check with your utilities company.
Turn Down the Thermostat
If you don’t want to spring for a new thermostat, then turning down your thermostat is a easy way to go. This can save quite a bit of money. Don’t like the cold? Pop on a sweater or cozy up with a blanket. It’s the easier option.
There are a lot of programs out there that will cover your upgrade or give you grants to do so. You should check your area’s utility provider before doing this. Since you may need approval before getting started. If you are in an older house, upgrading your insulation will help cut your heating costs in the winter, and cooling costs in the summer. If you are in an older house the insulation could be quite old and in need of upgrading.
Upgrade Your Windows?
My belief is that upgrading your windows for the energy savings isn’t as great of a savings as you likely think. While the windows of today would embarrass the windows of earlier generations. Windows are expensive and in all honesty you probably won’t see the cost savings from the upgrade.
Another thing to consider. If you do have an old house, upgrading the windows won’t give you much savings when the walls still have 100 year old insulation in it. Just my thoughts, but I would avoid this one
Upgrade your Furnace
If you have an old furnace that is getting the job done but remembers disco, then you need to think about switching it out. Furnaces have come a long way in the past 20 years and upgrading could cut your heating budget down big time.
Stop the Air From Leaking Out
No matter what you do make sure to plug any hole you might have around your door and windows. Leaking air can quickly add up in the cold months. If you can see through the crack in the door it’s probably a good time to fix the gaps. (Hint, if you have ice around doors and windows there is likely air passing through. See if there is a way to plug it up.
I have a reminder set for this one. All the dust from your house goes through your ducts and ends up in that filter. When the filter gets clogged the furnace needs to work more to get the heat through. Replacing them can help you save money on utility bills.
There are a few benefits of going green. Usually there is some sort of government incentive or grant. There is a higher up front cost but the savings can add up over time. Having geothermal for 7 years now I can say I love having the house at the same temperature year round. That said from the builders I have spoken with to install in an existing house. Like everything it could make sense for your situation.
Unless you are building a new home, geothermal probably isn’t the smart way to save money on heating.
Bundle Up
Personally I love a cooler house, I love wearing sweaters and a blanket on the couch is one of my favourite things at the end of a long day. Doing this can help you keep the house cooler than you normally would and save money on heating costs.
Use Free Heat from the Oven
Ever heat something up in the oven and then shut the door. There is some good heat in that oven that is going to waste. Leave the door open and allow the heat to flow out into the kitchen. Just make sure there are no little ones around to touch it.
Get an Energy Audit to Save Money on Heating Bills
If you have the money getting an energy audit done can help you find out where you house is short on heat and help you cut costs over the lifetime of your heating bills. Provided you put the suggestions into place.
Use the Fans to Circulate Your Heat
Heat rises, if you can put your ceiling fans on reverse it will push down the heat and you can benefit from it fast.
Now See More Great Money Saving Articles
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Share the good word about how to save money on heating bills this winter
You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.
You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.
Shut down devices you're not using. Curbing energy waste from devices that may appear to be switched off but are still using electricity (aka “energy vampires”) is another simple way to lower your electric bills. To make it easier to turn off all devices at once, consider an advanced power strip.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save 10 percent on your winter heating bills by adjusting your thermostat 10 to 15 degrees cooler while you're at work. Save even more by turning the thermostat down while you're sleeping. Even a few degrees can make a difference on your monthly bill.
The average savings for homeowners who do this is 1% to 3% per degree that they lower the thermostat. For a homeowner who lowers the temperature 8 degrees for 8 hours per day, that savings translates to at least $180 per year.
The Energy Saving Trust , an independent organisation that provides advice on energy use, is unequivocal on this point. It says that keeping your heating on all day uses more fuel and so is more costly.
Yes, unplugging appliances can reduce the overall amount of electricity you save. When you turn an appliance off, it no longer draws electricity from the outlet; however, there is still a small current that flows from the wall to the device. This is as phantom energy (also called vampire energy).
They often claim you can reduce or even eliminate your power bill by plugging in their devices around your home. The fact is, there is nothing that you can plug in that will reduce your electricity usage and lower your household power bill.
If you notice uneven home heating or higher heating costs, check the home insulation. Poor insulation in the attic or walls causes problems retaining precious (and expensive) heat in your home. If you notice that the heater is running all day, but your home isn't getting warmer, you're dealing with poor insulation.
Setting your heating to between 18 – 21 degrees Celcius is seen as the optimal temperature to stop your pipes from freezing while keeping your home warm. However, it depends on your personal preferences and factors like how cold or hot it is outside. Warmer outdoor temperatures mean lower heating bills.
'Primarily, the rise in heating expenses can be attributed to the growing costs of energy sources like natural gas and oil, which are subject to market fluctuations and geopolitical influences,' says Justin Bohannon, owner of Affordable Solutions HVAC & Electrical.
Every degree you turn your thermostat down can save around 10% on your energy bill. If you have a health condition that could be made worse by the cold, you shouldn't set your thermostat lower than 21°C.
A temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit is often considered the best temperature to set thermostat in winter to save money. But why is 68 degrees the best winter thermostat setting? In winter, heat loss through walls, windows, and doors is a significant contributor to energy wastage.
The U.S. Energy Department says furnaces and boilers are the most common heating systems in the country. According to David, they're also the most economical – at least those powered by natural gas. “Natural gas is still the least costly form of energy in most of the country,” David says.
The cheapest way to heat a home is with a natural gas furnace, which typically costs $30 to $60 per month to operate. If natural gas is not available, the next cheapest way to heat a house is with an electric heat pump, with monthly running costs between $40 to $160. *For an average 4- to 6-month winter season.
While there are occupants in the house, it is advised for homeowners to set their thermostats between 68 and 72 degrees to promote maximum comfort. A pleasant temperature for everyone in the house, regardless of the apparel they are wearing, is between 68 and 72 degrees, which is neither too warm nor too cool.
You'll usually find that a temperature between 18°C and 21°C is comfortable. Try setting your thermostat 1 degree lower to see if you still find the temperature comfortable. Every degree you turn your thermostat down can save around 10% on your energy bill.
Introduction: My name is Arline Emard IV, I am a cheerful, gorgeous, colorful, joyous, excited, super, inquisitive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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