6 Ways You Can Save Energy and Lower Heating Bills this Winter Without Sacrificing Comfort

Prices are on the rise

Navigating life on a fixed income can be challenging, especially when prices are on the rise. When money is tight, you have to make decisions about where to cut costs.

This situation is only exacerbated during the winter when electric bills soar with the cost of turning the heat on. At this point, you may be faced with the decision to keep the thermostat off this winter.

Living on a fixed income should not mean that you have to endure the cold. By taking small steps, you can be smarter with your energy consumption and keep your heating bills to a minimum this winter.

6 tips to save on heating bills this winter

Use your heat wisely

When times are hard, treat the heat as a precious resource! Close the doors to any rooms in the house that you do not regularly use. This way your heating system isn’t working harder to pump warm air into rooms that don’t necessarily need it.

Did you know that reversing the direction of ceiling fans can make a room feel warmer? Heat rises, so rather than blowing cold air, the fan will push warm air down.

You can also take advantage of the Sun’s natural warmth during the day. Open curtains on south-facing windows while it’s light out to let in natural warmth. But be sure to close them when it gets dark to help insulate windows.

Improve energy efficiency throughout the house

There are all kinds of things you can do around your home to reduce energy consumption regardless of the season.

• Upgrade to LED light bulbs if you haven’t already done so
• Shut down any computers or devices when you are not using them
• Keep the oven and refrigerator closed as much as possible while cooking
• If you have radiators, place heat-resistant reflectors between them and exterior walls

Visit the Department of Energy website to discover more ways you can reduce your energy consumption.

Optimize the settings on your thermostat

Turning your thermostat off isn’t the only way you can use it to save on electric bills. Instead, try keeping the thermostat set to 68 degrees while you’re at home. This may be a bit on the chilly side, but put on a jacket or sweater and you should be comfortable.

When you’re getting ready for bed or are planning to leave the house, set the thermostat even lower. No need to spend more on heating when you’re under the covers or not even there.

If you have the means, investing in a programmable thermostat can make this adjustment a breeze. You can program the thermostat to automatically turn down during the day when you’re at work and at night while you’re sleeping.

Make sure your HVAC system is running at peak efficiency

You’ll get more out of your heating bill each month if your HVAC system is operating at full capacity.

A simple step you can take to maintain your furnace is to replace the filter every month. These can be purchased at most hardware stores.

How long has it been since you had your HVAC system serviced? Call in an expert to check up on yours and make sure everything is running as it should. If you need help finding an HVAC specialist, Just Call Us! We would be happy to refer you.

Seal your home against drafts

Leaky doors and windows let warm air out of your home and cold air in. Fortunately, there are ways you can address these leaks without making expensive repairs.

• Apply weatherstripping around windows and doors.
• Cover windows with a clear plastic sheet on the inside of the frame. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame.
• Install draft stoppers beneath doors. You can place these under exterior doors as well as doors leading into rooms that you do not regularly use.
• Apply caulking to seal gaps in windows or walls. This can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Use these methods to make sure your home is sealed against the cold and improve the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Apply for energy assistance programs

Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for programs that offer assistance paying for energy bills.

If you live in Indiana, the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) provides a one-time annual benefit to assist low-income households with the high cost of home energy in the event the household is about to be disconnected.

If you want to learn more about the EAP or check your eligibility, you can do so on the State of Indiana website.

Certain utility vendors also offer special discounts or programs to support households with limited incomes. Contact your provider to inquire about what assistance may be available.

Tried and true ways to stay warm

At the end of the day, sometimes the tried-and-true methods of staying warm are the easiest and most effective. Don’t be afraid to bundle up with a sweater or jacket even when you’re indoors. Hot drinks like coffee, tea and hot chocolate can also help warm you up when you’re chilly.

Rest assured that there are substantial steps you can take to lower your energy bill if you’re concerned about keeping the heater on this winter. Take some time to explore the Department of Energy website for more tips about how to reduce your energy bill.

For more information about the Energy Assistance Program, you can visit the State of Indiana website or Just Call Us!