10 ways to lower home energy bills when it’s cold out

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Posted on Aug 30 2018 in Boone REMC

Cold weather is just around the corner. Start planning for the inevitable now.

Want to save money on your energy bills this winter — without spending a lot to make it happen? Here are 10 low- or no-cost changes you can make:

  1. Use your home’s ceiling fans to make the rooms feel warmer. Most people think fans are just for summer, but ceiling fans running slowly in reverse will circulate the heat that rises toward the ceiling.
  2. Add weather-stripping or caulk around windows and doors. Light a match or a stick of incense and hold it near the window frame. If the smoke sways, that means the window is leaking air. Caulking can significantly reduce heat loss.
  3. Rearrange your furniture. Move sofas and rugs that are blocking vents, which can cause uneven heating. Locate your most frequently used furniture near interior walls; it’s colder to sit near exterior walls, especially those with windows.
  4. Install a “smart” thermostat that lets you program it or adjust the heat even after you’ve left the house. There’s no need to heat your home at the same level when it’s empty as when your family is home. Turning back your thermostat by 10-15 degrees for eight hours a day can save up to 15 percent on your heating bill.
  5. Keep the shades wide open during daylight hours. The sun heats your home for free all day. Close the curtains at night to keep heat in.
  6. Check the seams and joints of your ductwork for leaks. Repair any leaks with a duct-sealing compound for even and efficient heating.
  7. Pull on a sweater and keep the thermostat at a lower temperature. You could save at least 1 percent per degree on your electric bill.
  8. Run your clothes dryer and dishwasher after dark. They produce heat that can keep your home warm at the coldest time of the day.
  9. Replace all of the stray incandescent lightbulbs in your house with CFLs or LED fixtures. These bulbs use far less energy.
  10. Limit your hot water use. Running the hot water when it’s not needed sends the energy used to heat it down the drain. Wash clothes in cold water and take shorter showers.