7 tips to help you lower your heating costs and stay warm this winter season
You might have heard that you sometimes need to spend money to save money. The good news is that when it comes to ways to save on heating, you often do not have to spend much money at all, if any. Here are 7 simple things you can do to help lower your heating costs and stay warm this winter.
1. Leverage Free Solar Heat
During the day, open up shades and window curtains to take advantage of natural solar heat. When the sun goes down, remember to close them to retain warmth and reduce heat loss.
2. Install or Optimize a Smart Thermostat
Install a smart thermostat to automate your temperature schedules. If you already have one, take time to review its programming features. Automatically setting back temperatures while you are away during the day or sleeping at night generates consistent fuel savings across the winter.
3. Zone Unused Spaces
Close interior doors and air vents to any unused rooms in your home so heat is redirected to primary living areas.
4. Seal Common Air Leaks
Remember to close closet doors and keep fireplace dampers shut when not in use. Additionally, remove window air conditioning units prior to winter to eliminate major draft gaps.
5. Unblock Radiators & Vents
Arrange furniture away from radiators, baseboards, and heating vents. Clearing air pathways improves convective circulation so the system doesn’t have to run as long to maintain room setpoints.
6. Reverse Ceiling Fan Rotation
During the heating season, set your ceiling fans to run clockwise at low speed. This creates a updraft that gently pushes stratifying warm air near the ceiling back down into living areas. Remember to switch them counterclockwise in the spring.
7. Weather-Strip and Seal Windows
Heat loss through drafty windows can account for a major portion of residential heating energy use. Apply caulk and weather-stripping to leaking window frames, or install window insulation film. Pay close attention to north-facing rooms, as they experience the strongest winds and highest heat loss. If your budget allows, upgrading to modern energy-efficient windows can provide permanent savings and qualify for federal tax credits.