What Are The Best Ways To Cut Back On Heating Costs During The Winter?

30 October 2015
 Categories: , Blog


When the weather turns colder, this usually means heating expenses begin to rise. If you heat your home with gas or electricity, you may notice your monthly bill starts to increase as it becomes cold enough to turn the heat on inside. However, this does not mean you have to struggle to pay your heating bills all winter long. These are some ways you can cut back on the costs of heating your home with your HVAC system when those cold days of winter arrive.

Closing Off Unused Rooms 

If your family tends to spend most time in only certain rooms, you can cut back on heating costs by closing off the rooms that are not used daily. These might include extra bedrooms, the family room or even and entire floor of your home if you spend more time downstairs during the winter. Close all heat vents to the unused rooms so that heat does not travel into them.

Keep the doors to the unused rooms closed all winter so that your heat only circulates throughout the rooms you will be spending time in. This can make a noticeable difference in your heating costs because less heat will be needed to maintain a comfortable temperature. Be sure the rooms with water pipes, such as the bathroom and kitchen, always remain heated to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Insulating Windows And Doors 

You can also decrease your heating costs by insulating your windows during the winter. This can be done by covering them with clear plastic sheeting on both the inside and the outside. If there are cracks around the windows where cold air can come in, you can seal these off with silicone caulking or weather stripping as well.

Most homes have at least two or three doors. During the winter, it is a good idea to only use one door for entering and exiting your home. Any remaining doors can stay closed and be insulated in the same manner as your windows. 

Lowering The Thermostat 

Even though the weather is frigidly cold outside, this does not mean your heat needs to be going full force inside. When you are going to be away from home, turn your thermostat down to 60 degrees. This will keep your home warm enough to prevent the water from freezing while also reducing the amount of power used for heating purposes.

When you are at home, keep the thermostat set at around 68 degrees. This is warm enough to take the chill out of the air without using an excessive amount of heat. If you dress warmly and make use of blankets and throws when you are inside, this will keep you comfortable at a lower thermostat setting.

By using these tips for keeping your home warm at a more affordable price, you may save a substantial amount of money on heating your home.


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