With inflation remaining high across the country, gas still stubbornly high and prices going up seemingly everywhere you look, homeowners are getting creative and looking for ways to save money. Adopting energy-efficient measures in your home is wonderful for the environment, but it’s also a great way to bring down the costs of your home’s energy bills. If you’re ready to get serious about saving money, here are ways you can make your home more energy efficient this winter once the colder weather arrives.
Install a Smart Thermostat and Take Control
One of the most effective ways to lower your energy bills is to install a smart thermostat. These will make a significant difference for home heating and cooling as it provides you with more control. The main feature of these smart thermostats is that you can create a schedule based on the day of the week and the time of day. You can then program the temperature you want based on your schedule.
If you’re at work away from home during the day, there’s no need for the furnace to be running on full blast. During the overnight hours, people often sleep more comfortably when the house is a bit cooler too. The best smart thermostats also offer a companion app so that you have all these controls at your fingertips on your smart device. That means you can control it remotely.
Take Advantage of the Warmth from the Sun
The sun is a great source of warmth during the colder months, so this is the time to open up your curtains and blinds during the day and let the sun pour in. Depending on how much sunshine you get, it may be enough to keep the house comfortable – at least during the day.
Once the sun sets in the late afternoon/evening, be sure to close your curtains or blinds to trap that warmth in. You may even want to hang insulated curtains as they prevent heat loss. They will also help to keep your home cool in the hot summer months.
Don’t Turn Off the Ceiling Fans Just Because It’s Winter
If you’re in the habit of turning off your ceiling fans and letting them go unused during the entire winter, it’s time to change that practice. Just rotate the way the fan spins so it is clockwise, and it will work to move the warm air throughout the house. It creates an updraft, helping to ensure there are no cold/warm pockets.
Put On an Extra Layer at Home
While it may be tempting to crank the heat to make the house toasty and warm, it will cost you. Instead, why not keep things simple and cheap and put on an extra layer of clothing? A cozy sweater, a pair of slippers and some plush decorative throw blankets will warm you right up.
These few small and simple tips can go a long way when it comes to making your home more energy efficient this winter and will therefore bring down the costs of your household bills.
