4 Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill This Winter

October 16, 2019

Arguably, the best part about cold weather is entering your warm and toasty home after being outside. Unfortunately, this comfort is usually coupled with an uptick in your living expenses­––specifically your heating bill. Depending on whether your heat is gas or electric, the average heat bill can range from $40-$160 per month and this figure could fluctuate depending on the size of your home or the efficiency of your heating system.

The best news is the colder months are just now beginning and there’s plenty of time to winterize your home and spending mindset. We’ve assembled four tips to help you save money on heating bills so you can put that extra cash towards something else.

1. Survey your home for holes, cracks, and openings

Heating bills aren’t just composed of the amount of heat you’re using but the heat you’re losing, too. Check every corner of your home to make sure the hot air your heating system is producing stays within your house. Cracks and holes of all sizes can make easy exits for heat to escape, making your heating system work harder to maintain your desired temperature.

As you’re checking the walls and corners of your home, double-check every window to make sure they are closed all the way. Performing this survey might also illuminate whether your home is due for resealing, brand new windows, or simply needs a few winterizing fixes.

Fixes to the cracks might make for fun DIYs but consider hiring a professional if you’re new to this home-fix or just want to make sure the job that’s done is a lasting one.

2. Get a second and third opinion on your HVAC’s health

Your HVAC system might benefit from routine checkups. Between the harsher seasons, before summer and winter, it might be useful to have your HVAC system provider or an affiliated HVAC technician take a look at your system to catch any problems before you need heating and cooling most. Doing so can save you from more expensive fixes during peak season.

Even better, if you should find out your heating system needs a more expensive fix, finding out ahead of time will help give you time to properly plan how you can afford and finance this fix.

3. Change your ceiling fan direction

Most ceiling fans rotate in two directions: clockwise and counterclockwise. A counterclockwise rotation usually works to push cooler air downwards and is useful for the summertime.

In the winter, your heating system produces hot air that will rise towards the ceilings of your house. A clockwise rotation will help pull warmer air sitting at the top of your home back into circulation. In doing this, you can avoid turning your thermostat up and maximize the warm air your heating system has already produced.

4. Invest in warm and cozy indoor clothes

The most frugal way to save money on your home expenses is to throw on something warming. It’s not unlikely that you’ve already invested in warmer winter for the impending colder months––or, that you plan to do so, soon. Around the time you might buy a new coat to withstand being outside, consider investing in warmer clothes for inside your home. A cozy sweater and fuzzy socks are great clothing items to stay warm and luxuriate from the comfort of your home.

A change in seasons doesn’t necessarily have to create a change in your finances. With these simple tips, you can save money for this season and the ones that follow.

Looking for more money-saving tips? Take a look at this post detailing eight ways to save without drastically changing your life.

Don’t forget to check out our blog for more answers concerning retirement, debt, and tips to maximize your money.

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