When the cold creeps in, you’ll want to turn the heat up, and that’s when winter energy-saving tips are needed.
In this article, I share some easy-to-implement energy-saving tips that will lower your electricity bill and keep the environment greener.
If you’re keen to save some money while helping our planet, read on!
How Can I Be More Efficient in Winter?
If you want to be more efficient this winter, you’ll have to make some changes around the house. Keeping the heat inside should be your top priority. Some changes you can make will have a high initial cost, but luckily, you can make a few low and no-cost changes around the house for a lower electric bill in winter.
High-Cost Winter Energy Saving Tips
1. Upgrade Your Water Heater
Like in the case of common household appliances, opting for an energy-efficient model is a must if your water heater is 15+ years old. Water heaters can account for up to 30% of your electricity bill, making switching to a newer model essential.
Many homeowners choose tankless water heaters that only heat water when needed or solar water heaters that use solar power to heat water which results in even more energy savings.
2. Upgrade Your Windows
Windows play a large role in keeping the heat in and out of a house. If your home doesn’t have dual-pane windows, investing in some is an excellent way to be more efficient. These windows are designed to keep your house cool during the summer months and heated during the winter.
By upgrading your windows, you can save energy in winter and summer!
3. Insulate Your Home
Upgrading your under-insulated house is worth the expense. You’ll see a return on your investment in lower electricity bills and an increased home value.
If you start with your windows, you can reduce heat loss in your home by about 15%. Window insulation kits and insulating curtains are widely available and not that expensive.
Low-Cost Energy Saving Tips
4. Humidify Your House
Most humidifiers don’t break the bank, and while they won’t increase the temperature in your house, they will make it feel warmer by increasing the airs’ ability to hold heat.
5. Block Leaks and Drafts
Sealing major draft spots is an inexpensive winter energy-saving tip. If you add weatherstrips to windows and doors and caulk openings and cracks, you’ll feel the warmth in your home and see a reduction in your energy bill.
If your budget is really tight, you can seal draft points with things you have around the house. You can use extra pillows, towels, or material blocks to reduce heat leakage by placing them against door and window sills or adding additional insulation layers to your windows.
No-Cost Energy Saving Tips
6. Keep Your Body Warm
If you want to lower your electric bill in winter, you can start by changing the way you dress. When your body feels warm, you won’t need all the extra’s to keep your surroundings heated.
Comfy socks, house slippers, and gloves help keep your feet and hands warm, which really eases the pain of cold weather.
You should also dress in light layers to keep your body sweat-free and heated.
Whenever you can, make use of fluffy blankets or a thick comforter. If you keep your body temperature high, you can keep your thermostat low.
7. Stay Active
While cozying up is the only thing most people want to do when it’s cold, getting your body on the move is a great way to keep warm. A bonus is that you won’t sweat as much as you would during the summer!
8. Harness Solar Energy
You don’t need solar panels on your roof to harness the sun’s energy. If you open your curtains during the day, you’ll have access to a free heat source that can activate a greenhouse effect in your home.
9. Close the Doors
If you want to keep your house toasty, you should close all the doors of rooms rarely used. If it doesn’t need to be heated for anyone, you’re wasting energy doing so. Closing unused doors in your house is a simple yet effective way to increase heat in other areas of your home and save energy in winter.
10. Use Excess Heat
One of the easiest winter energy-saving tips is to never let heat waste!
If you’ve taken a nice warm bath, you can keep the water in until it’s cooled to room temperature to increase humidity levels in the bathroom.
Another great tip is to leave your oven door ajar after you’ve used it – this will heat the surrounding area without costing you a cent!
What Should You Set Your Thermostat To In Winter?
You increase your electric bill by approximately 10% for every degree you add, making it essential to keep your thermostat low during the winter.
It’s recommended that you heat your house to no more than 18 – 21°C during the winter for the most efficient energy use. At night, when you’re snuggled under thick blankets, you can lower this temperature to between 10 and 15 degrees to save even more money.
If your budget allows you to, consider investing in a smart thermostat. These devices learn your behaviors and can lower your electric bill in winter by up to 10%.
Final Words – Energy Saving Tips for Winter
While saving energy is a year-round thing, taking extra steps during the colder months is important. No one wants to freeze, and turning up the heat in your house is an easy way to prevent this. However, your bank balance won’t be as pleased with you when your electricity bill arrives, and your thermostats’ use is splattered all over it.
Using the 10 winter energy saving tips set out in this article will make a significant difference in your energy use, making a difference in your environmental impact and saving you money!
