Winter Heating Tips: Cozy Solutions for Homes

Charming Hamilton log cabin on snowy Winter day

The winter can be an expensive season. With the expense of holiday gifts and family vacations, the costs can add up. But one of the biggest winter expenses is your home heating bill. 

The Importance of Energy Saving During the Winter

Before you learn some tips for energy saving, you should learn why it’s so important. In the winter, the temperature drops make heating your home difficult. There are often high winds battering windows and doors, adding to your heating troubles.

In many homes, heat escapes through cracks in your windows and doors. And every time you open a door, you let the cold in. Keeping a comfortable temperature in your home can be a challenge.

For that reason, your heating system works on overdrive. This adds to the cost of your utility bill every month. It also adds to your carbon footprint.

By making your winter heating more efficient, you can save money and help the environment. It’s a win-win situation.

Tips for Saving on Your Winter Heating Bill

Are you tired of paying twice as much for your winter utility bill as your summer one? If so, these tips can help. They’ll reduce the amount of energy you use to heat your home, and reduce the cost of your heating bill.

  1. Take Advantage of the Sun

Did you know that there is a free source of heat? The sun can help heat your home throughout the course of a year. However, you need to take an active role in harnessing the sun’s power.

Find out which of your windows face south. Then, open your curtains or blinds to allow the sun’s rays into your home. In the winter, windows that face south will get the most sun.

wooden glass window with a winter view

Once the sun goes down, be sure to close your blinds and curtains. This prevents heat loss and can maintain a more comfortable temperature. Although the sun alone can’t keep your home warm, it can certainly help.

  1. Dress Appropriately for Your House

By dressing appropriately, you can save money on your heating bill. This means bundling up in all of your winter clothing. For example, wear a warm pair of socks or slippers.

By keeping your feet warm, you keep the rest of your body warm. And although you don’t need to bundle up in a jacket while you’re indoors, you can wear a warm sweater or robe.

Use blankets on the couch to provide some extra warmth. When you do, you can keep the thermostat a little lower.  You don’t need to go overboard. By wearing a few warm clothing items, you can lower your heating bill.

  1. Replace your Windows and Doors

Your windows and doors might look great, but they can be a major source of heat loss. If your windows and doors are old or were improperly installed, they could be costing you.

Cold air can enter your home and your heated air can leave. As a result, your heating system needs to work in overdrive.

By investing in some Winter renovations, you can save yourself money in the long run. Many types of windows and doors are energy efficient. Instead of losing your heat, they keep the heat inside and the cold outside.

If you can replace your doors and windows before the winter, you can experience energy savings all winter long. Even doing it in the middle of winter can help.

  1. Get a Ceiling Fan

If your home does not already have a ceiling fan, you should consider getting one. Ceiling fans allow you to control the ventilation in your home, which can give you better air flow.

In the winter, you can use your fan to push the hot air back down to the ground. Because hot air rises, much of it goes to your ceiling. But the hot air doesn’t do you any good up there. By recirculating it to the floor, you can keep your home cooler.

Keep in mind that fans need to turn clockwise to have the desired effect. They also need to be on a low setting. You can get energy savings and a home with better air circulation.

comfortable bedroom using ceiling fan during winter

In the summer, you can also use your fan to save money on your utility bill. Installing a ceiling fan can have year-round savings.

  1. Get Insulated

With a little insulation, you can make your home more energy efficient than ever. Every winter, heated air in your home escapes to the outside. Cold air sneaks its way in. However, you can prevent that from occurring with good insulation.

If you have an attic, you could have a great deal of heat escaping from there. You should consider having someone install insulation in all the potential heat escape points.

It’s well worth the effort and can save you a significant amount of money on heating costs. It’s worth noting that insulating siding can make a difference.

If you plan on residing your house, you should consider insulated vinyl siding. It keeps your home more protected from the elements.

  1. Only Heat the Rooms that are In Use

If you have unused rooms, you’re wasting money by heating them. You don’t need unused guest rooms or storage rooms to be as warm as your living area.

If you want to save on your heating bills, you should seal off all vents that are in unused rooms. Instead of heating those rooms, your heating system will redirect the air to rooms that need it.

Another option is to keep your thermostat at a low setting. Place a space heater in each room that you plan to use during the winter. Then, use the space heater to keep your home warm. This eliminates wasted heat energy and saves you money.

  1. Use a Humidifier

increase of home moisture level using humidifier

In the winter, the air in your home can be quite dry. Humidifiers increase the moisture level of your home. They also make your home feel warmer than it actually is. By using a humidifier, you can set your thermostat lower and save money.

Conclusion

At Honest Renovations, we don’t believe you need to sacrifice your comfort for a low heating bill. With a few simple changes, you can save money on your heating bill this winter.

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