Whether you’re trying to lower your heating bill or ease your impact on the environment, reducing your energy use is a great way to help you get there. Utilities are usually one of the biggest expenses for both homeowners and renters. These bills can often rocket up during the summer and winter as we work our heating and cooling systems even harder. Luckily, it takes only a few simple adjustments to help reduce your total costs. Keep reading for some suggestions.
Utilize The Sun
Use the sun as the main source of heating and light throughout your home. Open the curtains on south-facing windows during the winter to bring some free heat into your house. You can also close your window treatments or blinds when the sun goes down to trap that heat inside. Although this seems like an obvious suggestion, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars just utilizing nature.
Bundle Up
Even if it seems slightly ridiculous, bundling up in warm accessories during the winter is one of the best and easiest ways to save money. Instead of turning up your thermostat, put on a fluffy sweater and some thick socks. Keep throw blankets on your sofas and add extra layers of blankets to your beds. You can even add an area rug to insulate your floor. Buying these easy items is a cheap one-time cost compared to large and recurring utility bills.
Adjust the Thermostat at Night
You can save 10 percent a year on heating bills just by turning your thermostat down by 10 to 15 degrees during the eight hours that you and your family spend sleeping. When you’re all snuggled up in your bed, you’re probably pretty warm anyway, so there’s no need to spend extra money on utilities. Invest in some flannel sheets and watch the savings pile up.
Only Heat the Rooms You Need
A lot of people have rooms that they never use, like guest rooms or large storage areas. Close and seal off the vents in these rooms to be more energy efficient. Then, direct the flow of hot air to the rooms that you actually use and spend time in. You can save hundreds of dollars a year just by prioritizing which rooms need heat.
Get a Humidifier
The air inside of homes can be very dry. Moist air feels warmer and holds heat better, so investing in a humidifier can help you feel warmer even when your thermostat is set at a lower temperature. Another easy way to increase the humidity in your home or apartment is to add a collection of house plants.
You don’t have to buy fancy HVAC systems to help your family stay warmer during the winter. Just try out a few of these tips. Who knows? Soon you might just be hot!