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Savings Tips for Winter Heating​

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1. Find the leaks

Perform a DIY Home Energy Audit at the start of the heating season. You will quickly find leaks in your home. These are places where you are losing heat from your home, and where the cold air is coming in. Common areas for air leaks include windows, doors and plumbing.

 

2. Control humidity 

Dry winter air pulls moisture from your skin, making you feel colder. Instead of turning up the heat, use a humidifier to keep your home humidity between 30 and 50%. You’ll be able to keep your thermostat on a lower setting without feeling cold.

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3. Seal Windows with Plastic

Seal windows from the inside using commercially available clear plastic film and your hair dryer. This plastic will create a barrier to prevent drafts and heat loss through the windows. Leaky windows can account for 10 to 25 percent of your winter heating costs.

 

4. Use Removable Caulk

Don’t like the look of plastic film on your windows? Instead, use removable caulk. Caulk around the edges of the window to create a tight seal. When Spring comes around, simply remove the caulk and discard.

 

5. Check Your Electric Bill

If you are in a deregulated energy market, check your bill to see if you are on a month to month variable rate. If you are, you should shop for a cheaper electricity plan and lock in savings before the cold weather hits. Bonus: electricity contract rates are typically cheaper in the winter.

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6. Don’t Use the Fireplace

A roaring fire looks beautiful on a cold night. But as much as 80% of the heat produced rises up the chimney. And as it goes, it pulls cold air in to the house through any window or door gap. If you use your fireplace to heat your home, consider getting a gas or wood-burning stove to replace the open hearth.

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7. Dress for the Weather

The goal isn’t to keep the house warm. The goal is to keep you comfortable inside the house. Put on a sweater. Wear slippers. Your mother was right.

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8. Block the Fireplace Flue

An open fireplace flue is the equivalent of keeping a window open in your house. Even when closed, air will leak out around the flue. A fireplace flue blocker or a chimney balloon can effectively block the draft. It’s easily removed if you want to start a fire.

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9. Reverse Your Ceiling Fan

Reverse your ceiling fan to turn clockwise, and run it on a low setting. This will pull hot air from the ceiling and push it down into the room. The low setting will keep air circulating without creating a cooling breeze.