There is nothing quite like coming home from a long day’s work to a toasty home during the frigid winter months. However, keeping your home heated in the winter can be costly. Though every year you may do your best to cut your heating bill as much as possible, sometimes the best efforts don’t have the biggest impact. Luckily, there are many tips and tricks you can do to cut your heating bill during the colder months. Some of these tips are wholly practical, while others may have never even occurred to you.

1. Bubble wrap your windows

Some may or may not already know of the plastic film that can be installed over windows to help insulate them during the winter. Amazingly, bubble wrap can do even more to keep the cold out. With its little pockets of air, it can trap cold air that will usually go through your windows and into your home. Working in combination with plastic film, you will keep your home warmer! The only downside is you may not have an easy time looking out at the beautiful snowfalls that occur each year. 

2. Drop the thermostat

Everybody knows that if you accept a colder temperature inside your house, it will result in savings. However, this doesn’t mean you have to turn your home into an igloo. You can drop the temperature significantly at night and when you leave for work or to run errands. Each degree you drop your thermostat, you will save roughly 1% every eight hours. 

If you’d like to go the extra mile with your thermostat, you can invest in a Smart Thermostat. These devices are super useful when it comes to saving money to the point where they practically pay for themselves in just under a year! These smart thermostats adjust themselves automatically depending on the time of day, time of year, and temperature. For example, you can wake up to a warm house in the winter and when you leave for work, the Smart Thermostat will turn down the heat, saving you money. It also turns itself back on so that you come home to a warm home. All of this is done without touching your thermostat at all during the day. Not only does this make things easier and stress-free, but you’ll save money, as well.

3. Re-caulk where necessary

Giving your windows a re-caulking before the weather drops is an incredible way to cut costs on your heating bill and is surprisingly affordable! You have likely read the importance of making sure your doors and windows are caulked before, but we are here to reiterate! This is one of the best things you can do to save money on your heating bill as well as seal the warm air in and keep that cold air out.

4. Check your weatherstripping

An annoying draft is one of the most noticeable causes of heat loss in a home, particularly due to failed weatherstripping. Replacing your weatherstripping before the cold weather hits is a super simple task that will result in immediate improvements to your heating bill. Some doors have weatherstripping slots built right into them, allowing you to easily swap them out without hassle! However, if your door does not have them, self-adhesive strips are especially useful around the edges and the doorframe. Luckily, these are also super easy to install, so there’s no reason to wait to replace your weatherstripping.

There are many other methods when it comes to checking your home. If you see frost or condensation on your window frames, this is a clear indication that air leaks are present. If this is the case, you may need to look into replacing your windows altogether. Not only is this an area where cold can come into your home, but too much condensation build-up can lead to mold. Though this can be a costly fix, you will most definitely make up for it in the long run with money saved on your heating bill.

5. Insulate electrical boxes

Many people may not know, but your electrical box can be a big source of drafty cold air that exists behind your drywall. While the overall impact might not be massive at first, the cost to fix them is very minor. Some simple insulating pads can help keep the cold air behind the walls.

6. Put more green in your home

A huge reason why a home feels colder in the winter is due to low humidity levels. To make your home feel warmer in the colder months without having to touch your thermostat, simply purchase more houseplants. If you have a higher amount of houseplants in your home, they will generate some humidity. This won’t cut the cost of your heating bill directly, but it will help you turn it down a degree or two! On top of this, any room with more houseplants is always more inviting.

7. Use your ceiling fan

Something many people may be unaware of when it comes to keeping your house warm is that you can make do with what you already have. If you have a ceiling fan in your home, change the rotational direction of it so that it spins clockwise. By changing the direction of the airflow and running the fan on the lowest mode, the fan will keep warm air closer to the ground instead of rising. It may not seem like much, but this can result in you no longer having to crank your thermostat to warm your home. This is arguably one of the easiest methods to help cut your heating bill this winter.

8. Unplug appliances you aren’t using

Many people are aware that when you aren’t using a certain appliance, unplugging it can save you a bit of money. However, not all are aware of just how much it can save you. Depending on the amount of appliances you unplug, you can save up to 10% per month on your heating bill. This can be frustrating at first, but by making it a habit similar to turning off your lights, it can become quite natural to get into the routine. Items, such as video game consoles, computers, and microwaves, all eat electricity, even when turned off. This also goes for light fixtures and phone chargers. Not only will this save you money in the long run, but you’ll also lower the risk of electrical fires and ruining your products in the event of a power surge.

9. Open your curtains

If you aren’t a fan of the cold, it can be easy to close all the curtains in your house to try and forget the chilly weather outside. However, this can cost you money. As opposed to the summer, letting in sunlight in the winter is great when it comes to saving energy. Not only is this an extremely easy method of heating your home, but when combined with your main heating methods, can save you tons. Depending on the layout of your home, it is important to mainly open your curtains that face the sun. It is also important to remember to close them before the sun goes down to not let in the cool night air!

10. Block your chimney when not in use

A beautiful fireplace is a great addition to any living room. However, when not in use, a fireplace can be the perfect place for heat to escape. When you aren’t using it, it’s important to block your chimney. This is especially true if you don’t use your fireplace at all, or own an older home. There are many methods of blocking your chimney, none of which are too pricey. These include chimney caps and chimney balloons, which can both be easily removed in case you want to get cozy with the family and use your fireplace.

11. Clean your furnace filter

Generally, furnaces are the most popular method of heating your home. In 2011, roughly 57% of households in the country used a furnace to heat their home, according to Statistics Canada. Though a popular option when it comes to keeping your house warm, many people don’t do their part in cleaning it. With consistent use, your furnace filter will get clogged and dirty. When this happens, it slows down the airflow. Unsurprisingly, this results in your furnace not working at its full capacity. Furthermore, your furnace will work harder to distribute warm air, resulting in a hefty increase when it comes to your energy bill. This can easily be fixed by checking your filter at least once a month during the winter. Look for dirty filters or clogged coils, and replace them to keep your home warm and lower the cost of your heating bill.

While you are doing these simple home upgrades to cut your heating bill, consider other ways you can save money. This includes bundling your home and auto policies! You may be overpaying, so request a quote from us today.

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