It’s no secret that paying to heat your home is expensive. Especially in the winter, ice-cold winds and below-freezing temperatures can necessitate the use of many more heating methods to ensure a house doesn’t turn into a giant fridge. Unfortunately, more heating means more money, and interior winter temperature control can add up fast. That’s why getting creative with your heating is important to keep costs low while keeping your temperature high.
From logical usage-oriented space heating to more high tech options- here are 6 clever ways to save money on your heating bills.
Heat What You Need
Here’s something that seems self-evident, but is one of the main sources of heat waste in the world- heating areas that don’t need it! If you have a spare room that you’re not using or a bathroom that’s under construction, save yourself some cash and don’t heat those spaces! By closing doors and shutting vents you will be focusing the warmth on the spaces in your home that actually need it. Pro tip? Always heat your basement, even if you don’t think you’ll need to. A warm basement will heat your floors and make your place feel warmer overall.
Cool Down Your Sleep
Did you know that humans get sleepier and have more restful sleep when their body temperature is low? Before bedtime, body temperature naturally dips and decreases to its lowest temperature in the wee hours of the morning. Unsurprisingly, this means that humans have a better quality REM cycle if they have a lower body temperature rather than a high one. Accordingly, the temperature of your house should be reflective of these bodily changes. Save yourself a restless sleep while saving on heating costs, and make sure you’re turning your thermostat down at least a few degrees at night.
Replace Your Furnace
Though it is true that the efficiency of a furnace varies greatly, it is also true that not all heat sources are created equal. If you have an older furnace model you may want to consider looking for a replacement. Similarly, when looking at heat sources, it is important to note that often used resources like oil, natural gas, propane, and coal are not always the most efficient or cost-effective. In fact, there are plenty of less-mainstream alternatives that will save you money. A good example of this is a pellet stove, which can easily be used to replace a gas furnace. Simple and low-cost installation is a bonus with this one.
Plus, green living gurus at https://tinyhousehugeideas.com/how-to-install-a-pellet-stove/ give an easy to follow installation guide that can help you with the less intuitive stuff. If you’re looking to cut some serious dollars from your heating bill, you’re going to want to look into new heating alternatives.
Thermostat Overhaul
Regardless of which heating system you use, being able to tailor your temperature schedule will inevitably save you hundreds on heating. Investing in a programmable or smart thermostat eliminates the guesswork and the margin for manual errors or forgetfulness from your heating routine. As a result, the temperature is always exactly where you want it no matter the season, how many people are in the house, duration of potential out of town trips, or if the outdoor weather spikes or dips.
Check For Drafts
The phrase “don’t heat the street” isn’t just tongue in cheek- it’s quite literal! There is no excuse for accidentally heating outdoor spaces if you don’t need to. Not only does this have a detrimental environmental impact, but it also takes your heating bills from manageable to astronomical in price. To protect yourself from soaring heating costs, do your basic draft checks. Make sure that the ceilings and windows are properly sealed, and that insulation is present and up to date. If you need to, using weather stripping will help cap any heat leakage. Another easy way to stop temperature bleed is by using heavy blinds and curtains. Make sure they are open to sun and warmth during the day and closed during the night when the temperature drops.
Bundle Up
Last but certainly not least, when in doubt- bundle up! If you are truly looking for ways to make a dent in those heating costs, make sure you’re doing everything you can to stay warm before you touch you even think about touching those heating systems. Investing in fuzzy pair of slippers is as practical as it is fashionable! Plus, sweaters and blankets can be used again and again to make the initial investment worth the coin- and much less expensive than blasting your heat to keep you warm while eating your morning cereal.
Some cold-weather tips have been passed down from a time when sophisticated systems weren’t an option, while other newer advice might be a touch more evolved. No matter how tech-savvy you are or how much money you have to spend on solutions, some heating bill hacks are universally effective. In order to prevent your dollars from evaporating, there are many avenues you can choose to conserve heat and save yourself from price gouging. Hopefully, these 6 tips will have you saving money in no time!
