Ten Ways to Lower Your Winter Energy Bill 2023

Winter is here and it’s time for you to think about ways to decrease your carbon footprint. energy bills If you are noticing them increasing.

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It doesn’t take a lot to improve your lifestyle. Just a few small changes can make a big difference to your environment and your bank account. When the cold weather comes, use these 10 tips to help slash your bills.

Bundle up

According to the U.S. Department of Energy you can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs by setting your thermostat back a couple of degrees (7-10) for eight hours per week.

You’ll notice a difference in your next statement if you set your thermostats at 68 degrees during daylight and a little lower while you’re asleep.

To keep warm inside, layer up and use thicker blankets in winter.

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Get a new thermostat

Smart home systems can set the thermostat for you and reduce your energy costs.

Kendal Perez, a former savings expert from Coupon Sherpa, who also runs Hassle-Free Savings, said that a programmable thermostat could save households as much as $180 annually in heating and cooling costs. Nest Learning thermostat, for instance, adjusts temperature automatically after being set manually for the first few day to establish patterns and preferences.

According to Nest, two independent studies that analyzed energy bills before and after homeowners had installed the thermostat found that Nest cut cooling costs by 15% and heating use by 10%-12%. On average, consumers saw savings of $131-$145 per year.

Upgrade Kitchen Appliances

According to “This Old House,” about 20% of your electricity bill is caused by running appliances. Energy Star-qualified washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers can significantly reduce this percentage.

Energy Star refrigerators can be used to conserve energy. They are 9% more energy-efficient than those that meet the federal minimum efficiency standard. Energy Star washers consume 20% less energy and 30% more water than regular washers.

Purchase a new water heater

According to “This Old House”, water heating costs make up 18% of your utility bills. Switching out your water heater could drastically reduce your energy bills. You should consider gas and solar options. Many of these are tankless, to maximize efficiency.

“Traditional heaters heat water in a tank, which is a waste of energy and requires constant heating,” stated Than Merrill (founder and CEO of FortuneBuilders), a real-estate investment education company.

Tankless water heaters heat water only when it is needed. This way you won’t be wasting energy when hot water isn’t being used.

Decimate Drafts

According to the U.S. Department of Energy you can protect your windows from the cold by covering them with clear plastic sheets and installing insulated window covers. Seal any drafts found around chimneys or in areas behind closets and cabinets. You can also remove your fireplace’s damper if it isn’t in use and seal drafty doors and windows with weatherstripping.

Ryyan Murphy of Irish Heating and Air Tracy, California said, “Resealing your home in winter is one of your best ways to reduce your energy bills.”

The average homeowner should be capable of weatherstripping their windows and sealing air leaks in a matter of hours. This is possible with very little material cost and immediate savings. This is the change you need to make a difference in your life.

Schedule home maintenance tasks

Start the year by performing routine maintenance tasks such as changing smoke detector batteries and carbon monoxide detector batteries, cleaning the refrigerator coils and checking the seals, changing furnace water filters and filtering refrigerator water filters. Shane Kenny is the founder of FilterSnap subscription air filter company FilterSnap.

Kenny advised that you keep your HVAC, home, and your family happy and to change your filter once every three months at the most.

Get a Furnace Inspection

Get an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace before it gets too cold truly Then the fun begins. Save a bit now, but spend a little later.

Murphy stated, “Get your furnace inspected before running it every day.” You can have your furnace checked by an expert for as low as $100. This professional will be able to spot any air duct leaks or blockages, electronic failures, mechanical problems, and more. Pre-season tune-ups can also be used to help prevent breakdowns during times that may require emergency repairs. These calls can often cost significantly more.

Turn off small appliances and electronics

You can reduce your energy bills by unplugging small appliances and electronics that are not in use. According to the EPA, idle gadgets can consume enough energy to power twelve powerplants for a full year.

Red Ventures director of marketing and business development, Rob Caiello, stated that the set-top boxes as well as video games consoles, microwave ovens, and battery chargers are some of the largest energy suckers. It is a good idea to connect energy-hogging appliances to one power strip. This makes it much easier to remove them all at once by flipping a switch.

Opt for LEDs

Energy Star-rated residential LEDs consume at least 75% less energy, last 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lights, according to U.S. Department of Energy. You can also upgrade your holiday lights to save money if you are smart. Caiello stated that LED string lights use less energy than regular lights and can save you significant money if your lights are plugged in for long periods of time.

Insulate

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, insulation is a major way to lower your cooling and heating bills. You may need to upgrade your insulation if you own an older house. Properly insulating your home can help reduce your energy costs.

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Barri Segal This article was contributed by the authors.

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This article was originally published on GOBankingRates.com: 10 Ways To Lower Your Energy Bill for Winter 2023