Winter is approaching. You’re dreading the cold weather and the expensive heating bill that comes along with it. When heating and cooling your house makes up for about 48% of all energy consumption in your home, you’re probably looking for ways to reduce your costs.
What is the most cost-efficient way to heat a home? There are more creative methods to conserve energy than just turning down the heat. Don’t worry, you won’t have to wear your winter jacket just to watch TV anymore.
Here are 9 ways to hack your home heating bill.
1. Leave the Oven Open
Who knew cooking a meal and heating your house can go hand in hand? Don’t leave your oven open when it’s still on, but you still shouldn’t let the heat trapped in your oven go to waste.
After you finished baking dinner, leave your oven’s door open a smidge. The heat will travel from the oven and into your house. This is a cheap and easy heating option to get some extra heat in your home.
2. Get Window Insulation
Where do you think a lot of the heat in your house escapes from? That’s right–your windows. Although it can be nice to crack open a window on a hot summer day, they can be a nightmare for your heating bill in the winter if they aren’t insulated properly.
You don’t have to get too fancy with your insulation. Invest in some plastic window covers–it’s simple to install them and they’re fairly cheap. They’re designed so you can conserve the heat in your home, while also warding away cold air.
Another way to block drafts is to purchase insulated curtains. These curtains are thick enough to keep the cold air out and even come with a thermal backing to maximize heat conservation.
If you don’t have the cash to spend on window insulation, then it’s time to make use of the blankets lying around your house. Simply drape the blankets over your windows–that way they work as a modified insulation device. You might not get that much sunlight, but it’ll still trap heat.
3. Don’t Drain Your Tub
Not draining your tub after you take a shower or bath may sound a little disgusting, but it’s actually another cost-effective home heating option. All you have to do is use a drain stop to save all of your hot bath water, and simply leave it there. The heat from the water will slowly travel through the rest of your house.
Not only does this heating option save you money, but it’s also a great way to humidify your air without using a humidifier. You’ll probably suffer from a sore throat during the winter because your heating system takes the moisture out of the air. Water from your filled tub can add some of that moisture back into your house.
4. Turn on Your Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans aren’t just useful for keeping your home cool. Did you know that turning on your ceiling fans during winter is one of the most efficient heating methods?
Hot air rises, so you’ll want to bring it back down to your level. When you turn on your ceiling fans for the winter, make sure that they’re running in reverse on the lowest setting. This will suck in the hot air from the ceiling of your house, and allow it to circulate throughout the rest of your home.
5. Choose When and Where to Heat Your Home
Maybe you have a few rooms in the house that you don’t go into often. In this case, consider turning off the heat in those rooms. Simply close the doors to those rooms and shut off the heat. Keep your bedroom and living room at a warm temperature, and sacrifice the unused rooms to the cold.
If you have smart home devices, like a programmable thermostat, you should be able to set it to heat your home at certain times of the day from your smartphone. Just set the thermostat to a cooler temperature while you’re out of the house.
Don’t worry about freezing when you get home–schedule the thermostat to start heating your house at a higher temperature 30 minutes before you get home. You’ll still save money and you’ll come home to a cozy house.
6. Avoid Using Your Fireplace
A warm fire is another one of the best home heating options that people love to snuggle up to.
However, using a fireplace often can actually make you waste more money on your heating bill. Fires suck the oxygen out of the air to fuel its flame. As a result, your fireplace will hog all of the costly warm air produced by your heating system.
You should also make sure the damper is closed on your fireplace to prevent more warm air from escaping.
7. Get Free Heat
Don’t know where to find free heat? Take a look up at the sky. That big ball of fire can actually help you warm up your house.
Open your curtains or take the blankets off the windows when they receive direct sunlight. The sun will naturally shine into your room and heat the house. Nature is definitely one of the best free home heating options.
Always remember to close the curtains at nighttime to trap all of the heat gathered during the day.
8. Get Your Heating System Checked Out
Call up your local heating professional and have them take a look at your furnace or heat pump. A professional can ensure that your heating system is optimized to run efficiently. The cost of having a specialist come to your house will save you money in the long run.
If you’re in Wales, contact this company to get your furnace evaluated.
9. Seal the Gaps
Even if you have the best heating system, you might find that your house is still cold. This may be caused by a lack of weatherstripping.
You’re letting all of the precious heat out of your home if your doors and windows aren’t sealed properly. Use weather stripping or caulk to close the cracks. You’ll usually find leaks around your windows, doors, outlets, by your attic, or even around the area where wires come into your house.
These little gaps can cost you big money if you don’t cover them up. In fact, covering the gaps can help you save at least 20% on your energy bill. Give yourself the most efficient heating possible and take the extra measure to seal off the cold air.
Save on Home Heating
Hopefully, you’ll be able to keep your thermostat at a lower temperature this winter by heating your home more efficiently. In addition to actually being warm inside your house, you’ll save some money on home heating.
Visit our blog for more helpful life hacks.