Energy-Saving Tips for Lower Heating Bills

As temperatures drop, heating bills often rise—but keeping your home warm doesn’t have to break the bank. By making a few simple adjustments, you can stay comfortable while reducing your energy costs. Here are four practical and budget-friendly ways to cut down on heating expenses this winter.

1. Adjust Your Thermostat for Maximum Efficiency

Why It Matters:
Your thermostat settings have a major impact on your energy bill. Every degree you lower your thermostat can save you up to 3% on heating costs.

What to Do:
✔ Set your thermostat to 68°F while you're home. This is the recommended balance between comfort and efficiency.
✔ Lower it by 7-10 degrees at night or when you're away for extended periods to maximize savings.
✔ Use a programmable or smart thermostat to automate temperature adjustments, ensuring you’re not heating an empty home.

📌 Pro Tip: If you don’t have a smart thermostat, manually adjusting your settings when leaving the house for work, errands, or vacation can still lead to significant savings.

2. Use Ceiling Fans in Reverse to Circulate Warm Air

Why It Matters:
Hot air naturally rises, which means heat often collects near the ceiling instead of staying where you need it. Reversing your ceiling fan helps push warm air down into your living space, making rooms feel warmer without cranking up the heat.

What to Do:
✔ Switch your ceiling fan to its winter setting (run it clockwise at a low speed).
✔ Use fans in rooms with high ceilings or large open spaces to redistribute heat.
✔ Turn off fans when no one is in the room—fans circulate air but don’t generate heat.

📌 Pro Tip: If your ceiling fan has a switch on the motor housing, flip it to clockwise mode for winter. No switch? Look for a remote setting or manual switch on the base.

3. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Weatherproofing

Why It Matters:
Small drafts can make your heating system work much harder, increasing energy waste. Sealing gaps around doors and windows prevents cold air from entering and keeps warm air inside, reducing heating costs.

What to Do:
✔ Replace worn-out weatherstripping on doors and windows.
✔ Use caulk or foam sealant to fill in cracks around window frames and baseboards.
✔ Install draft stoppers at the base of exterior doors to prevent cold air from creeping in.
✔ Upgrade to thermal or insulated curtains to trap heat inside.

📌 Pro Tip: Try the "candle test"—hold a candle near doors and windows on a windy day. If the flame flickers, there’s a draft that needs sealing!

4. Close Off Unused Rooms to Retain Heat

Why It Matters:
Heating unused spaces wastes energy. By closing off rooms that don’t need to be heated, you concentrate warmth in the areas where you spend the most time.

What to Do:
✔ Close doors to rarely used rooms like guest bedrooms, storage spaces, or offices.
✔ Close air vents in unoccupied rooms (if your system allows for zoned heating).
✔ Use door draft blockers to keep warm air from escaping into unused areas.

📌 Pro Tip: Don’t close too many vents—this can create pressure buildup in your HVAC system. Instead, focus on minimizing heat loss in rooms that don’t need constant warmth.

Final Thoughts: Small Changes, Big Savings!

By making these simple adjustments, you can lower your heating bill without sacrificing comfort.

💡 Key Takeaways:
✔ Adjust your thermostat for better efficiency.
✔ Reverse your ceiling fan to circulate warm air.
✔ Seal drafts with weatherproofing to stop energy waste.
✔ Close unused rooms to keep heat where you need it.

📌 Want a professional home energy check-up? Contact us today to schedule an inspection and ensure your home is running as efficiently as possible!