Jessica Hagard
Need energy saving tips to keep your heating bills down this winter? With cooler temperatures ahead, every little kilowatt can help keep your bill down. Let's talk about some of the best strategies you should try.
Use a smart thermostat
If you're tired of constantly fiddling with the thermostat, invest in a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat learns your daily routine (e.g. when you're awake or when you snuggle under the covers) and adjusts the temperature accordingly.
And the best part: you can control it from your phone. So if you get home earlier than expected or plan to stay out longer, you can easily adjust the temperature remotely. Still, it's no surprise that smart, programmable thermostats are essential for strategically heating your home .
Chris Taylor from Scottish Energy Saving has some great tips on how to get the most out of your smart thermostat. "Use the thermostat's learning features for a few weeks and make manual adjustments if necessary. Over time, it learns your preferences," he advises.
Increase the thermal mass of your home
According to Architect Magazine, thermal mass refers to the materials in your home, such as concrete, brick or stone, that can absorb, store and release heat slowly. Imagine your home absorbing heat during the day and gradually releasing it as it cools down at night. This keeps your home naturally comfortable without having to constantly adjust the thermostat.
"Place furniture and curtains so that the sun hits them during the day and absorbs heat. Close the curtains at night to contain the heat and allow the thermal mass to radiate heat into the room," says Taylor. "This will help keep the temperature stable and reduce heating costs."
Trap in the heat
Heat trapping means keeping the heat you generate in your home so it doesn't escape and increase your heating bill. Fortunately, there are many ways to do this.
First, address any issues that could be causing heat loss, such as poor insulation or drafty windows, say Alan Houghton and Gordon Chalk of Next Level Underfloor Heating . "Conduct an energy audit of your home using a candle or incense. Move it around doors, windows, and baseboards, anywhere air can escape. If the smoke oscillates, you have found a draft. Seal these gaps with weatherstripping, caulk, or vent gaskets to keep more heat inside.
"You can also add weatherstripping to the bottom of doors and windows to keep cold air out," they add. Applying these simple solutions can make a big difference in heat retention.
Use your curtains strategically
Strategic use of curtains is a simple but effective way to keep your home warm and cozy without increasing the temperature. Think of your curtains as an additional layer of insulation for your windows, helping to retain heat inside when you need it most.
According to Olga Galenko of Home Alliance, it's a good idea to open your curtains wide during the day to let in as much sunlight as possible. The sun's rays naturally warm your home, especially when they hit areas with high thermal mass such as stone floors or brick walls.
Then, as the sun sets and the temperature drops, close the curtains to prevent heat from escaping. "Thick, insulating curtains can be particularly effective," he adds.
Clean your filters
Over time, the filters in your heating system can become clogged with dust, dirt and other debris. When this happens, your system has to work harder to circulate warm air throughout your home, which not only wears the system out faster but also uses more energy, increasing your costs.
Make a Christmas coffee and motivate yourself to clean or replace your filters at least once a month during peak periods and every three months the rest of the year. If you have underfloor heating, Houghton and Chalk recommends having it checked annually by a professional technician. Of course, it's also a good idea to minimize dust and dirt through regular cleaning and vacuuming .
Close the ventilation slots in rooms that are not or rarely used.
"If you have rooms that you rarely go into, close the vents," says Dan Staupe of Compass Exteriors . By closing the vents in these rooms, you can redirect warm air into the rooms you're actually in, making your heating system more efficient.
Just be careful not to close too many vents at once, as this can cause pressure to build up in your system. But closing off an unused room or two can be a great way to keep cozy things where you need them while reducing your heating bills.
Invest in your ceiling fans
Most people think of ceiling fans as a cooling device in the summer, but they can be just as useful in the winter. "During the winter months, reverse the direction of ceiling fans and run them clockwise at low speed to push warm, ceiling-rising air into the room," recommend Houghton and Chalk.
Improve your insulation
If you have a larger home, consider insulating the basement or attic to increase heat retention. In addition, Taylor recommends using advanced materials such as spray foam or insulation panels, which retain heat better than others.
"Consider installing a heat recovery ventilation (HRV) system when upgrading your HVAC system," he adds. An HRV can counteract poor ventilation by removing heat from the exhaust air and transferring it to the cold supply air. In addition to reducing heating costs, this can also improve indoor air quality.
Turn off your humidifier
Turning off the humidifier may seem counterintuitive, but in certain situations it can help reduce your heating bills. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can make it warmer and more comfortable, but they also require energy to operate. If your home already has adequate humidity or you live in a climate where the air is not too dry, running a humidifier may place an unnecessary additional burden on your energy use.
Additionally, during the colder months when your heating system is operating, it can naturally increase indoor humidity, especially in well-insulated homes. If your home is already comfortable, you may not need additional humidity. If you must use one, be sure to clean it thoroughly so it doesn't use extra power.
Avoid a horrendous heating bill with these simple tips
By following these energy saving tips, you'll stay warm this winter and stay in control of your heating bills. Don't let the cold hurt your wallet: try these strategies and enjoy a comfortable home at no extra cost.
Jessica Haggard is the creator of the blog Easy Homemade Life . She inspires and supports homemakers with easy recipes, natural cleaning tips and DIY personal care tutorials to promote a happy and healthy home environment.
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