Do you want to keep your heat bills low while keeping you warm this upcoming winter? We will share some ideas to reduce your expenses due to heating and focus on achieving this goal without sacrificing cozy. But, why does this matter? Based on the US Energy Department research totaling nearly two-thirds of a household’s expenditure, heating is the primary household energy consumption in the US alone.
If all that’s in your mind is how to keep your heat bills low, don’t worry, we’re all there, and it’s a seasonal concern! Each winter, heating your home is a significant weight on your pocketbook, but you can play with it to keep your heat bills low. There are many ways to do this. Discover 10 of the most effective solutions with us.
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- Invest in good insulation and keep your heat bills low
We are often told to do some insulation work, but let’s face it, who wants to do endless reparation work? Not us, and certainly, not you. Sadly, one of the first steps is to ensure good thermal insulation for your home (attic, exterior walls, floor, etc.). This prevents heat from escaping outside and keep your heat bills low. To do this, less tediously, here are some tips:
1. Close your shutters and cover your windows at night.
This simple tip will prevent the heat from dissipating.
2. Fill in any holes and cracks.
A little trick to spot holes or cracks through which heat will escape. You can run an incense stick or a candle along the seams of windows and doors. If air enters these locations, the flame will be repelled, and the smoke will follow the leak. You can then fill these spaces by fitting the door sills with weatherstripping or a bead. You can also opt for thicker curtains.
3. Install double glazing or caulk.
A common way to keep your heat bill low is double glazing. It will allow you to minimize the heat loss inevitably associated with windows. If you are not ready to invest in this installation, consider attaching a 3mm thick plastic sheet with double-sided tape to the problematic locations. Caulk your doors and windows using PVC or silicone gaskets. It will also allow you to reduce energy loss inexpensively.
4. Insulate your heating pipes.
While it is crucial to insulate the openings to avoid energy loss, it is also necessary to protect the heating pipes and keep your heat bills low. These connect your radiators to your boiler, and they tend to pass through unheated areas. To do this, cover these pipes with thermal insulation. You can use flexible foam or mineral fiber sleeves. Be sure to compare the thermal insulation capacity of different materials before making your choice.
5. Isolate your attic.
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The roof can account for up to 30% of a home’s heat loss on its own! To avoid such losses, unroll glass wool or rock wool on the floor of your attic.
- Use the thermostat wisely
Thermostats are some handy little things, aren’t they? And you know what can be more helpful? To know how to use them wisely. Here are some tips to keep your heat bills low and to use the thermostats to your advantage:
6. Close the doors.
If you close the door of a room that needs to be heated more or less than its neighbors, you will be able to keep the temperature difference between them; this will help you keep your heat bills low & be more energy efficient. The radiator in the room wouldn’t need to work as hard to warm up just one room.
7. Reduce the temperature when you’re home and away.
You can easily keep your heat bills low if you set your thermostat a 68°F and lower if you’re away, as the US Energy department states. When you’re sleeping, you can lower it a notch; your duvets will help you stay cozy without having to crank up your heater.
8. Regulate the temperature of each room.
The temperature of each room doesn’t need and shouldn’t be the same all around. You can activate the ones of the places you’re the most, and then keep other rooms at a chillier temperature.
9. If you have friends over, lower your home’s temperature.
Source: Photo by Askar Abayev from Pexels
The body heat of everyone celebrating will warm up the room, and it’ll be enough to keep everyone comfy.
10. Use a smart thermostat.
There are programming modules that allow you to control your home’s heating, even from a distance. They can be installed on existing electric heaters in a matter of minutes. You can program different temperatures for different rooms easily without thinking about it.
11. Finally, heat, but not too much.
You should avoid turning your heating on to its max when you get home. Firstly because it won’t heat up any faster. Second, you will get too hot because they usually heat up after turning them off. Finally, because you will be consuming a lot of energy for nothing at all. If you live in a well-insulated home, you might even be able to switch off in your absence because the temperature may not drop enough to freeze your pipes.
- Maintain and replace your HVAC if needed
If you keep your HVAC in good shape, you’ll be able to keep your heat bills low, as well as your maintenance bills. You must ensure that your system is in good working order, which involves regular maintenance and replacement before it’s too late.
12. Clean your water radiators.
This operation, which consists of expelling the air from the pipes, is essential when starting up your heating.
13. For electrical installations, dust the convector grids regularly.
14. Have your boiler serviced annually by a professional.
This will allow you to ensure your safety and reduce the risk of breakdown. All while helping you keep your heat bills low.
15. Keep your filters clean.
Dirt and dust accumulate on your HVAC filters, making them work harder than they should. Ensure they’re clean or replace them at least every one to two months to keep your heat bills low.
16. Be energy-efficient.
Choosing an energy-efficient boiler will save you more energy when you need to replace your unit.
- Switch to a fixed-rate electricity plan
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If you opt for a fixed-rate electricity plan, this means that the price you pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh) will always remain the same for the duration of the contract. You thus ensure a stable price over a determined period (often a year or three years). It’s an option that will give you peace of mind, knowing that your electricity rates will remain stable come rain or shine. It’s the option of security.
And there we have them, our hot ideas to keep you warm and cozy and to keep your heat bills low this upcoming winter. Feel free to share more tips with us in the comment section below if you have more suggestions.
