Winter, love it or hate it, is firmly upon us here in the U.S. And whether you're a homeowner or a renter, you're likely concerned with keeping your energy bills down this winter.
While you may not have the time or money to tackle a big project like replacing windows or adding insulation, you can utilize some easy, low-cost ways to keep your house warm and reduce your heating bill.
Follow along to see if you need to add anything to your list, then download the visual chart at the end of this post!
While many experts recommend setting your thermostat's daytime temp to 68 degrees during the winter to save on energy bills, that may feel too chilly if you tend towards feeling cold-blooded like I do.
Still, it's easy to make use of the program to lower the heat during times your house is typically empty or at night when it's easier to bundle up. According to the Consumer Energy Center, you could save up to 5% on energy costs for every degree the heat is lowered between 60° and 70°F.
Though it may feel warmer right by the fire, heat is lost through an open flue, fire going or not. The good folks at This Old House tell us:
"An open fireplace damper lets the same amount of heated air escape up the chimney as a wide-open 48-inch window lets out. Make sure your flue is closed when you don't have a fire going. In fact, it is a good idea to reduce the number of times you use your fireplace. A roaring fire exhausts over 20,000 cubic feet of heated air per hour to the outside."
Just can't resist the coziness of a roaring fire? Experts recommend installing glass doors on the fireplace to minimize warm air leakage and closing the damper when the fireplace is not in use. You might also be interested in a low-cost Chimney Balloon to help better close the damper, which may or may not have a tight seal.
Most ceiling fans have a switch for winter use to reverse the blades to a clockwise rotation. This creates an updraft to push the warm air that rises to the ceiling back down. You could potentially save up to 15% on heating costs by simply using this feature.
Though simple, ensuring that heavy furniture isn't blocking a vent, register, or grille is worth checking. This is also a good time to clean vents, replace filters, and schedule any needed maintenance for your heating system.
Especially in the multiple story homes that are a hallmark of rentals and military housing, the "stack effect" is the movement of warm air UP in a building, which then pulls cold air IN through any leaks or gaps in the lower levels. Applying weather stripping and caulk around exterior windows and openings can help limit this effect.
On that note, blocking drafts around doors and windows will also help with cold air seeping into your home. While you may have memories of a grandparents' old-fashioned door draft blocker (a "door snake"), they were on to something. Draft blockers range from kitschy to purely functional and can be found at many home improvement and department stores.
Open blinds and curtains during the day to take advantage of the warmth from the sun, then close them at night to better insulate your windows. Tight fitting, insulating drapes are best for this time of year.
Don't have double-paned windows? You can DIY some insulated panels. Find directions here, as well as other energy-saving ideas for your windows.
You can lose 10% of your home's heat through bare floors. Layer it up with some thick rugs or carpeting.
If you're a parent, you are well rehearsed in telling your kids to make a decision and simply come in or out already. But you can also shut the doors on unoccupied or rarely used rooms and close that room's vents to direct heat to the rest of the house.
If, in spite of your best efforts, your house stays cold in the winter and hot in the summer, it may be time to replace insulation. Though not neccessarily an easy or cheap fix, it might be both easier and less expensive than you expect. While you can hire an insulation professional, DIY instructions abound if you wish to take on this task yourself.