This is an expensive time of year. With the holidays, end-of-the-year expenses, and bills, it can be stressful and difficult. Another concern may be the wasting of energy and increased money spent on heating bills. It’s important to save electricity in winter to lower your electric bills, not to mention reduce your carbon footprint. The following tips will save money and energy while staying comfortable during the cold winter months. Many of these tips can be used on a daily basis to increase your savings; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the winter.

1. Weatherstrip your doors and windows

   If you’re wondering how to cut down on your electric bill in winter, sealing out drafts is a good place to start. Your doors and windows can leak out more heat than you might imagine, but you can put a stop to it by installing weatherstripping around them. Plus, door sweeps help seal the space between the bottom of your door and the door frame.

2. Switch to a smart thermostat, turn the temp down, and take advantage of natural sunlight

   A smart thermostat is a high-tech way to save electricity in the winter. Programmable thermostat savings come from the ability to fine-tune and optimize when your furnace runs. You can program the thermostat to turn down while you’re sleeping or when you’re away and then set it warmer for just before your arrival back home at the end of the day. You can reduce your electric bill in winter without sacrificing comfort.
   Another way to keep energy costs down in winter is by turning down the thermostat. Experts recommend lowering your thermostat a few degrees during the day and then lowering it even more at night. You can save as much as 10% off your heating bill by turning your thermostat down 7°- 10°F for just 8 hours a day. If you feel chilly, wear a sweater instead of cranking up the heat.
   Sunshine coming through your windows can help heat up a room. Opening and closing drapes strategically can help you save on your energy bill this winter. Open drapes when the sun is shining in, then close them when it gets dark. Be sure to close drapes and shades across all of your windows at night to prevent drafts and slow heat loss through the glass.

3. Close the damper when not using the fireplace

   Relaxing in front of a warm fireplace can be a wonderful end to a cold day, but heat could later escape up the chimney if you forget to close the damper. You can also save electricity in winter by installing a more efficient fireplace and switching from wood burning to gas. Installing a glass screen will make your fireplace more energy efficient as well. It radiates the heat from the fire but prevents warm air from being pulled in and vented out the chimney.

4. Give your heating system a yearly checkup

   Schedule an annual heating system check-up early each winter to ensure that your system is clean and ready to run efficiently. A check-up can find problems early and save you the inconvenience, discomfort, and expense of a breakdown during a cold snap. Regular check-ups will increase the lifespan of your system and lower your electric bills during winter, because a smooth-running furnace doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home warm.

5. Don’t block your air vents

   If furniture or drapes are blocking your heating vents, you’re making your furnace work harder than it should. Blocked vents increase air pressure in your ductwork, which can create cracks and leaks. Clearing your vents ensures that every room in your home is getting good circulation and that your system is working as designed. If a piece of furniture is sitting over a vent, try using an inexpensive vent extender to direct air out into the room.

6. Check the insulation in your house/ insulate your pipes

   Good insulation can be an inexpensive way to reduce your electric bill in winter. Adding insulation in your attic is a great place to start since it can keep more heat in your living areas. Another area where heat often escapes is through your walls, especially around electrical outlets and anywhere utilities enter your home. Pay extra attention around plumbing, both to prevent heat from escaping and to protect pipes from potentially freezing.
   The pipes that deliver hot water to faucets, showers, and appliances around your home can bleed energy. Depending on how far the water has to travel, you could be losing a lot of heat. Adding insulation to hot water pipes can raise the temperature of the water by 2°F – 4°F. Besides delivering hotter water, insulated pipes mean you don’t have to run the water as long, waiting for hot water for a shower.

7. Adjust your water heater’s temperature

   Your hot water heater might be wasting more energy than you realize, especially if it’s an older model. Today’s energy efficient water heaters can pay for themselves quickly with the energy they save. For most people, keeping the temperature set at 120 degrees provides plenty of hot water. To save even more, consider adding a hot water heater blanket, which is a layer of insulation that wraps around the hot water tank. It helps keep more heat in and the heating element doesn’t have to run as often.

8. Only wash/dry full loads of laundry

   One of the simplest laundry energy-saving tips is to always run full loads whenever possible. Running small, partial loads of laundry takes as much energy as running a full load. You’ll end up using more power and water with multiple loads. A better approach is to run your machine only when you have a full load. You’ll run your washer and dryer a lot less and cut down on your hot water usage. This can add up to savings.

9. Unplug unused electronics

   Many electronics and appliances draw energy even when they’re set to the “off” position. These energy vampires draw power when you don’t expect it. Prime culprits are devices that operate with a remote control because they basically live in a standby mode. Other common energy vampires include desktop computers and displays, printers, televisions, microwaves, and video game consoles. You can save energy by unplugging these devices when you aren’t using them.

10. Use LED light bulbs instead of CFL or incandescent

    Switching to LED lightbulbs will save electricity in winter. Light-emitting diodes are among the most energy-efficient light sources available, since they use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer. Think of how many light bulbs you have in your home and you can see how your savings can multiply. That’s one of the biggest benefits.

When you save electricity in winter, you do the environment a favor while also lowering your electric bill. Winters in Nashville can range from relatively mild, to suddenly cold bursts and snowy. Be ready this winter—for “comfort without compromise.” Be cozy and warm and save money at the same time. Frog Air + Heat is here for your home heating needs this winter. Contact us today for any of your home heating needs.