Here’s How to Save Energy this Winter

Nowadays, we’re doing everything we can to save money on our bills, especially our monthly utility costs that can skyrocket during both winter and summer months, in most cases. When it comes to saving electricity, many Americans are switching to more energy-efficient LED bulbs, which can last a whopping 25 times longer than traditional bulbs and use 75% less energy, according to the energy.gov website.

As the holidays are bearing down upon us, it’s time for the opposite of spring cleaning, which is preparing for winter. There are plenty of ways we can get ready for the colder months.

1. Controlling your heating costs

One of the biggest expenses for winter living is heating costs, which can put a huge dent in our budgets. Here are some important considerations for saving some serious cash on heating:

• Turn down the thermostat. For every one degree you lower the temperature in the winter (or increase in the summer), you can save 3% on energy costs annually. Times that by three or four degrees and the savings are significant.
• Install or use a programmable or smart thermostat. These devices save hundreds of dollars each year by controlling the temperature in your home.
• Check your doors and windows. Keep them shut, draw the blinds or drapes, and use draft protectors to reduce the amount of heat that escapes during the day and night.
• Use your fireplace wisely. Similar to doors and windows, keep in the heat by installing airtight doors on your fireplace and keep the damper closed when not in use.
• Consider area rugs if you have hardwood or vinyl flooring. Whether your floor is on a concrete foundation or not, heat can escape through the flooring in your home, so cover hardwood and vinyl floors with area rugs.
• Inspect and detect. Take a day to walk around the interior and exterior of your home, and check for cracks or other leaks, especially around doors and windows, that can bleed energy out of the house.

When it comes to hot water, the EPA recommends setting the temperature of our hot water heaters to 120 degrees, which compared to 140, saves approximately $400 annually. In the summer, we won’t notice the difference, and during the winter, we’re more accustomed to the cold, so it also won’t affect us much.

2. Stay warm and toasty. 

I actually prefer being cold over being hot, because you can always put on extra clothing or blankets when you’re cold, but there’s not a whole lot you can do when you’re sweating up a storm short of getting completely soaked. Once you’ve reduced the temperature on your thermostat as mentioned above, keep plenty of throw blankets around the house near sofas and chairs when feeling a little chill.

To reduce your thermostat level even more at night and still stay warm, add extra blankets to all the beds. Close the bathroom door when showering, and keep the area nice and warm for when you exit the stall. The mirror may fog up, depending on the layout of your bathroom, but you can always keep a squeegee nearby for a quick wipe that won’t leave smudges on your clean, reflective surface.

What about you? Do you have any tips or tricks for defeating Jack Frost that weren’t mentioned here? Please leave your comments below.