7 Energy Saving Tips to Keep You Cozy This Winter
When it’s icy outside, we step inside to shake off the cold, but keeping our homes heated can be very costly and energy intensive. Try these winter energy saving tips to reduce your heating bills this winter.
Don’t resign yourself to sitting in the cold just yet! You can have a warm, toasty winter without spending a fortune or helping to heat the planet beyond its comfort level. During the winter weekends, check for opportunities to use these energy saving tips and improve your home’s efficiency. One of the simplest ways you can stay cozy and save energy is to inspect your house for drafts sneaking in from the outside.
7 Winter Energy Saving Tips
1. Seal any leaks with insulation, caulking, weather stripping, and door snakes, or make your own draft dodger. Need some help? Learn how to seal air leaks around doors and windows.
2. If your attic isn’t insulated, make sure to insulate the entrance so the cold doesn’t seep into your house from above. If you’re not sure how to get started, check out the handy video above!
3. Install ceiling fans and set them clockwise in winter. Running the fan might seem counter-intuitive, but a fan running cockwise helps push warmer air down where you can enjoy it.
4. Set your thermostat to 65 F or lower for maximum winter energy savings. If that’s too chilly for you during the day, you can still turn down the thermostat at night. Once you’re snuggled under the covers, you’ll discover that you can be comfortable at lower temperatures than you thought.
5. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat that fulfills heating needs around your schedule. You can set it so the heat kicks on for a specified amount of time before you arrive home or before you get up in the mornings. You can even control some programmable thermostats with your smart phone, so you can change the settings to conserve more energy if your plans change.
6. Better yet, invite your friends over for a party or a movie night. Rumor has it that each guest is the equivalent of a 175-watt heater. The more the merrier—and toastier!
7. I’m going to sound a little bit like a grouch right now, but put on a sweater anyway! When you bundle up, you don’t need to pump the heat. So brew up a cup of hot tea, grab your favorite sweater and afghan, and cozy down.