How to Save on Heating Bills This Winter

If you are looking for ways to lower your winter heating bills, you are in the right place! With a few simple changes, you can significantly lower your heating costs this winter!

Keeping your home warm in the winter can sometimes feel like a financial burden, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With these simple and strategic changes, you can significantly lower your heating costs while keep your home comfortable and staying within your budget all winter long.

Lower Your Thermostat

Every degree you lower your thermostat saves about 1% on your heating bill. By dropping it by 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day (while at work or sleeping), and you could save up to 10% annually.

Normally, I like to keep my thermostat around 68°F during the day and I lower it at night to around 64°F. Your body actually sleeps better in cooler temperatures so even if you layer up on the blankets, you probably won’t even notice the difference. If you aren’t ready to take the plunge, start with just one degree lower and watch how your body adjusts.

Improve Your Insulation

Insulation is one of the biggest ways to lower your heating costs. Think of insulation like a warm coat for your house. Without proper insulation, you’re essentially heating the outdoors.

The biggest heat losses happen in your attic, walls, and basement. Check your attic insulation depth (if it’s less than 11 inches), you’re losing heat. Upgrading attic insulation often provides the fastest return on investment.

Older homes built before the 1980s may have little to no wall insulation. Adding it can reduce heating costs by 15-20%. Don’t forget basement and crawl space insulation either.

Note: Many utility companies offer free energy audits to identify where your home loses heat. Contact your energy provider and take advantage of these valuable assessments.

Seal Air Leaks

Tiny gaps around windows, doors, outlets, and pipes can let as much air escape as leaving a window open. Weatherstripping and caulk are inexpensive fixes for windows and doors. Also check these spots:

• Pipes and wires entering your home
• Electrical outlets on exterior walls
• Attic doors
• Fireplace dampers
• Dryer vents

For under $50, you can seal most problem areas in an afternoon and it could save up to 20% on your yearly winter heating bills.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Having a programmable thermostat is one of the most invaluable items to have in your home. It allows you to set up a schedule that automatically adjusts temperature based on your families needs. Set the temperature while you’re at work or sleeping, then warm up before you return home or wake up. You’ll never waste money heating an empty house ever again.

Smart thermostats even go further by learning your habits and adjusting when you leave (using your phone’s location). They also provide energy reports showing where your money goes.

Use Window Coverings Strategically

Install heavy thermal curtains or cellular shades to help reduce heat loss through windows by 25-50%, especially older single pane windows. These types of curtains help trap air in pockets and create a “insulation” for your windows in the winter and summer months. Think of these as an investment in to your yearly heating and cooling costs.

Service Your HVAC System

Having an annual HVAC tune-up ($80-150) can improve efficiency by up to 15% and extend your system’s lifespan by years. A technician will clean filters, check connections, inspect the heat exchanger, and test safety features.

Between professional visits, change your air filter every 1-3 months. A dirty filter makes your system work harder and can increase costs by up to 5-15%. Also keep vents and radiators clear of furniture and clutter so air flows freely throughout the home.

Upgrade to An Energy Efficient System

If your furnace is over 15 years old, it likely operates at 60-70% efficiency. Modern high-efficiency models reach 90-98% efficiency, meaning nearly all fuel actually heats your home instead of escaping as waste.

A new furnace costs $2,500-6,000 installed, but the system pays for itself in 5-10 years and continues saving money for another 10-15 years.

Don’t overlook water heaters, they’re the second largest energy expense. High efficiency models (especially tankless or heat pump types) can cut water heating costs by 30-50%.

Many utility companies and federal programs offer rebates and tax credits. The Inflation Reduction Act provides up to $2,000 in tax credits for qualifying heat pumps, plus 30% credit on installation costs.

Saving on heating bills doesn’t require you to shiver through winter months or have massive upfront investments. Start with free and low cost strategies first like lowering your thermostat, sealing air leaks, and maintaining your HVAC system. These alone can reduce heating costs by up to 20-30%.

Remember, the most expensive heating system is one working hard to heat a poorly insulated, leaky home. Fix the easy stuff first, then upgrade later.

Be sure to pin this for later!