Stepping outside on this blustery winter morning, it’s clear that winter is here. While the idea of being warm and cozy indoors is delightful – but the utility bills that come with that could give anyone the shivers. With costs rising everywhere, it can be alarming that a significant chunk of your monthly bills come from heating your home in the winter. If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to know where to save those pennies wherever you can.
Here are a few simple tips to stay comfortable while also saving money on your heating bills this winter:
- Make sure you’re changing your furnace filters regularly
Your furnace will not work as effectively as it can with a dirty filter and the harder your furnace is working, the higher your bills will be. Aim to change your filters every one to three months.
- Turn down your thermostat
This might seem obvious, but even a few degrees will make a difference on your heating bill. Particularly before bedtime or hours where no one is home, it is worthwhile to turn down that temperature. There are programmable thermostats available so you don’t have to heat your home while you’re away, but can still arrive to a nice toasty house!
- Reverse your ceiling fans
We all know that heat rises. Keeping your fan running clockwise will push warm air back down into the room.
- Take advantage of sunlight
While we don’t get as much sun in the winter, make sure to open your curtains or blinds and let the sun shine in! This can also be a nice change from the dark days of winter. Make sure to close them at night though, to help retain the heat collected during the day. (Even switching to thicker, more insulating drapes during the winter can make a difference!)
- Bundle up
Make sure you’re dressing in layers during the winter. Get out those sweaters, long sleeve shirts, leggings, warm socks and slippers! Dressing warmer can have a huge effect on how warm you feel without having to reach for that thermostat. Also, grab those blankets! There’s not much better than reading a book under a cozy fleece blanket (or watching the newest Netflix, if that’s your thing).
- Sip on something hot
I like an iced coffee as much as the next person, but it’s not doing anything to help me stay warm during the winter. Consider trading in the cold beverages for a hot tea, coffee, or hot chocolate! Yum!
A bowl of homemade soup is also a tasty (and nutritious) option to help stay warm during the winter months.
- Unblock your vents
There’s no point in paying to heat the back of that couch or the bottom of your bed. Try to unblock any vents whenever possible, even if it means rearranging some furniture.
- Consider replacing an old furnace
While this may seem like a daunting investment, if your furnace is particularly old, it may be worthwhile to upgrade to a more efficient model, and you will save money in the long run.
