Your energy bills often skyrocket as soon as Old Man Winter comes around. Staying warm during the cold months of the year is a necessity, but trying to save energy should be a priority. The last thing you want is for those bills to steadily increase each month.
So, what are the best ways to save energy during the wintertime?
Table of Contents
Solar Panel Installation
Yes, installing solar panels can be quite an investment, but solar energy can provide enough power for your home that you won’t ever have to endure a mighty energy bill again. Solar panels save you money in the long run, and they work exceptionally well during the winter.
Of course, the amount of sunlight you receive will play a part in how well the solar panels on your roof perform, but the snow can help your panels with the reflection of its bright white surface.
Let That Sunshine In
Much like solar panels, natural sunlight can provide many benefits, one of them being warmth. Consider leaving your curtains and drapes open during the day so the sunshine can flow into your home. Doing so will warm the house from the inside, decrease the heat you’d need from your furnace, and reduce the amount of energy you use.
However, it’s important to remember that as soon as the sun sets, you should close your curtains and drapes again. The nighttime is when it gets the coldest, so try to keep the heat from escaping during the late hours of the day.
Seal Air Leaks
According to Wallace + Wallace, sealing all windows and doors can prevent heat from escaping your home. So, how do you prevent this from happening? By weatherstripping your doorways and windows.
Sealing drafts can make a difference in your energy bill because your furnace won’t have to work overtime to heat your household. Even draft stoppers at the bottom of your doorway can prevent heat from slipping through.
The same goes if you own a fireplace. Closing the damper will ensure no hot air escapes through the chimney.
Keep Vents & Doors Closed in Unused Rooms
If you live in a spacious home, chances are you have one or two rooms that aren’t occupied very often. It’s a proactive measure to keep all vents and doors closed instead of heating areas of the home that don’t need it; that’s just a waste of money and energy.
If no one is home during the day, you can keep specific vents and doors closed to certain rooms. What’s the point of heating a home if no one is around to enjoy it? You can always open the vent or door again when everyone is home.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Smart devices are now common household tools, but did you know there are smart thermostats? Optimizing your thermostat settings is an effective way to save energy, and smart thermostats allow you to do just that.
You can program it to turn on or off during the night or when no one is home. You can also pre-set your desired temperature settings, and the thermostat will know how much heat to provide while you’re relaxing at home. Smart thermostats can save you up to 8% on your utility bills.
Lower the Thermostat Temperature
We know. Lowering the thermostat’s temperature may seem ludicrous, but bundling up in warm clothes will decrease your energy cost. We’re not saying you should freeze during the winter, but wearing sweaters, sweatpants, and warm socks can decrease the need to crank the heat at home.
In addition, lowering the temperature at night is also a way to reduce the amount of energy you use. Think about how many hours of sleep you get a night. That’s a lot of energy needed to keep the house warm. But sleeping under heavy blankets can ensure you stay comfortable throughout the night.
Some people don’t realize the effect they have when they find alternatives to saving energy. When you save energy, you’re not just helping yourself, but you’re helping the environment too. We hope you found these tips helpful.
