How to Save on Heating Bills

During the winter months, heating your house is often necessary. Unfortunately, it is also often expensive. There are some ways you can save your home heating bill, though. Free fixes such as adjusting your thermostat and closing the fireplace damper can help reduce your bill quickly and easily, while upgrades such as energy-efficient HVAC systems and storm windows can help you save a lot of money in the long run. With just a few adjustments, you can start saving on your monthly heating bill and still keep warm.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Lowering Your Heating Costs For Free

1. Turn down the thermostat. One way to lower your heating bill is by simply using less heat. Turning down your thermostat by even small amount for short periods of time can help you save on heating.
   
   • One option is to turn the heat down by about three degrees whenever you use your heat. For every degree or so you turn your heat down, you are looking at between two and three percent savings on your monthly bill.^[1]
   • Another option is to turn your heat down when you’re not around. A seven to ten degree reduction in heat for eight hours a day can save you up to ten percent on your monthly bill. Turn your heat down when you are at work or out of the house to help save.^[2]
   • Bundle up in warm clothes and blankets when you turn down the temperature to help keep you warm even when it is a bit colder in your home.
2. Minimize exhaust fans. Exhaust fans actively pull the hot air that rises to the ceiling out of the house. Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans sparingly. Shut them off immediately after use.^[3]
   
   • For moments when exhaust fans are necessary, try not to run more than one at once.
   • Use exhaust fans for the minimal amount of time it takes to ventilate the space. Do not leave them running for extended periods of time. Switch to regular fans or other forms of moving air as soon as possible.
3. Close the fireplace damper. Heat rises, so an open damper allows the heated air to escape from the house. Keep the damper closed unless you have an active fire to prevent unnecessary drafts.^[4]
   
   • Remember to extinguish a fire completely and let the smoke dissipate before closing the damper.
   • Open the damper immediately before you light a fire in your fireplace. Forgetting to do so may cause smoke to build up in your home.
4. Keep heating vents clear. Vents blocked by rugs or furniture prevent the heated air from circulating through the house. Remove any obstacles around heating vents, as well as those around radiators or baseboard heaters.^[5]
   
   • Avoid putting large pieces of furniture in front of vents, as well as on top of them. This may still diminish the flow of warm air around the room.
5. Turn on ceiling fans. Since heat rises, the air around the ceilings in your home is warmer than the air closer to the floors. Set the ceiling fan to low so it gently pushes the hot air back down. If you run the fan too high, the air will cool as it circulates.^[6]
   
   • If possible, put your fan in reverse mode to give it a clockwise rotation. This is a manufacturer-installed setting on some fans. Running your fan in reverse help push the warm air down from the ceiling and draw up cool air from the floor.
6. Use window covers. Uncover your windows in your home during the day so the sun can warm your house. Close your curtains, blinds, or drapes at night to help prevent warm air from escaping.^[7]
   
   • If you do not currently have window coverings, you can make temporary ones for the winter by hanging a blanket or sheet up in front of your window.

[Edit]Modifying Your Home to Conserve Heat

1. Caulk around windows. In time, old caulking dries up, shrinks, and cracks to create air leaks. Removing old caulking around your windows and replacing it with new, weather-resistant caulking can help stop some of those leaks.^[8]
   
   • You can buy caulk stripping tools as well as easy to apply, weather resistant caulking from your local home improvement store.
   • Always remove old caulking whenever possible before applying a new caulk.
   • After you’ve piped the new caulking around your window, be sure to use a smoothing tool to flatten the new caulk and distribute it evenly across your window frame. This helps better block air leaks.
2. Use door sweeps. If you notice a gap between the bottom of your exterior doors and their frames, use door sweeps to seal their leaks. Door sweeps can be found online or at most home improvement and hardware stores.^[9]
   
   • Most door sweeps are easy to install. Simply slide them on from the side underneath the base of your door and then screw on.
   • You may want to use them on interior doors, too, if you notice that cold air tends to travel rapidly from one room to another.
3. Insulate your attic. Add extra insulation in your attic to prevent heat from escaping through the ceiling. Check the insulation in the attic and look for areas that are stained dark. The dark areas are created by dirt and dust and will show you the spots where air is leaking through. Replace or add insulation in those areas.^[10]
   
   • If you plan on doing this project yourself, lay fiberglass rolls, and use metal mesh to create barriers around areas that need to be exposed such as vents.
   • Remember to wear protective gear such as goggles, gloves, and a mask when installing insulation.

[Edit]Upgrading Your Home Fixtures to Save Heat

1. Maintain your furnace. Replace the filter on your furnace according to manufacturer suggestions to keep it working efficiently. If you think your furnace is not working properly, call a maintenance technician to have it inspected.
   
   • Keeping your furnace clean and properly adjusted can save you up to five percent on your monthly heating bill.
2. Buy energy efficient appliances. Keep energy conservation in mind when replacing items in your home. Energy-efficient appliances and furnaces cost an average of 15 percent less to run than older models.^[11]
   
   • Have your HVAC equipment evaluated every ten years to make sure it is performing well.
   • You may also want to consider installing a programmable thermostat or a smart thermostat so that you can ensure the heat only kicks on when you want it to. You’ll find them starting at around thirty bucks, but some are as much as a hundred.
3. Install storm windows. If you have the funds available, install windows rated for winter weather. Storm windows can be purchased from a window installer, contractor, or home improvement store.^[12]
   
   • Unless you are an experienced professional, it is best to have a contractor or window technician install new windows around your home.
   • If you cannot afford storm windows, consider using plastic sheeting or shrink wrap around your windows to create an extra barrier for the cold air. Make sure the adhesive used to hold up the plastic goes all the way around the window with no gaps to let cold air in.
   • During the winter months, move beds and other furniture away from exterior walls, which are typically the coldest spots in the house.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• Get a professional in for a checkup. You can keep your heater running efficiently longer with appropriate heater maintenance.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Save Electricity at Home
• Save Money on Utility Bills

[Edit]References

1. ↑ http://energy.gov/energysaver/fall-and-winter-energy-saving-tips
2. ↑ http://energy.gov/energysaver/thermostats
3. ↑ http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2013/11/06/10-ways-to-save-on-energy-costs-this-winter
4. ↑ http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/brrr-5-ways-maximize-your-fireplace-and-chimney-efficiency
5. ↑ http://www.moneycrashers.com/lower-heating-bills-save-money/
6. ↑ http://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-ceiling-fan-reduce-heating-costs-50085.html
7. ↑ http://homeguides.sfgate.com/hanging-curtains-reduce-electric-bill-62181.html
8. ↑ http://energy.gov/energysaver/projects/savings-project-how-seal-air-leaks-caulk
9. ↑ https://www.lowes.com/projects/repair-and-maintain/install-a-door-sweep/project
10. ↑ https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_attic_insulation
11. ↑ https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac
12. ↑ http://homeenergy.org/show/article/nav/windows/id/1872