Spring is in full swing, but that doesn't mean the occasional cool day won't keep the heat and electricity flowing -- and your monthly bills high. After housing, utility bills are the biggest expense for most of us, but unlike rent or a mortgage payment, you have a lot of control over how high those numbers get. If you're trying to cut your energy bills as cool air lingers, there are tried and true ways to use less and save on monthly heating costs.
While home heating bills in general might be a bit lower this year than last year, paying to keep your home a comfortable temperature can still feel crushing. There's nothing like a surprise spring storm or cold stretch to bring your utility bills back to mid-winter levels.
Read more: Best Smart Thermostats
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Below we explore five ways that you can cut your heating and energy bills, with tips that range from easy lifestyle adjustments to investing in better equipment. (You can also save on heating costs with this small home upgrade and set your thermostat to this ideal temperature).
1. Be smart with the thermostat
We've all likely heard this advice, but it bears repeating since it's the easiest and most direct way to save on energy costs. It might feel nice to keep the home toasty so you don't have to bundle up as much. The US Department of Energy states that you could save as much as 10% annually on heating costs by turning down the thermostat 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheitfor 8 hours per day.
The best part of turning down your thermostat is that you can do it while you're not home during the day so you don't even notice the difference. You might also consider lowering the thermostat at night, if you're able to drift off to sleep in a chillier environment. According to the Mayo Clinic, sleeping in colder temperatures might even aid in our body's natural temperature drops at night and lead to more restful sleep. You might want to try keeping your house cooler at night, and if you find you don't mind it or even like it, you just found an easy way to save on heating costs this spring.
Today's smart thermostats make controlling the climate in your home easier than ever. Simply set a prerecorded schedule for when you'd like the house to drop several degrees and when it should rise again. Set the heat to kick in a bit right before you get up in the morning and your house will be warm when it's time to start your day.
2. Go green with renewable energy
Solar handles electricity output, so it might not seem like going solar would affect your heating bills. If you run an entirely electric central heating system, you might not have to pay gas heating bills at all. This is admittedly the most involved tip on the list. You might have to invest in a solar array, a solar battery and even installing central electric heating. That way, you avoid the fluctuating costs of natural gas.
The great part about solar is that the panels can still collect energy for your home even in the winter -- a dreary sky doesn't mean sunlight isn't penetrating the clouds. Your solar panel system will just need some extra TLC, like removing the snow from affected panels in northern climates or insulating batteries. You can learn more about winter solar panel care in our guide.
You might also look into which credits are available in your area for solar, such as the federalresidential clean energy credit. Solar panels also have the popular benefit of allowing you to sell surplus energy back to the utility companies if your local utility participates.
If going all solar in your home isn't a time or monetary commitment you can make right now, you might even look for other green ways to save on your overall electric and heating expenses. One easy way is to outfit your camper with portable solar panels. You might even look into small solar gadgets that can take the load off that heating/electric bill, like solar device chargers or a solar water heater kit.
Here Are 23 Ways to Save On Your Electric Bills Right Now
3. Upgrade your equipment
If you're running an old furnace, chances are you're burning more energy than you need to be. According to the US Department of Energy, fuel efficiency ratings on newer high-efficiency heating systems can run from 90% to 98.5%, as opposed to older low-efficiency systems at 56% to 70%. With electricity prices getting more erratic recently, now might be the time to invest.
You might also look into different ways that you can heat your home. We mentioned all-electric systems supported by solar panels above, but there are also heat pumps instead of furnaces. Heat pumps transfer heat from outside, so they tend to be a popular consideration in more temperate climates. You can learn more about heat pumps versus furnaces in our guide.
4. Manage your home's temperature
Beyond updating your equipment, playing with your thermostat or investing in a renewable energy alternative, you can also make little changes that help with your heating bill. These likely won't overhaul your heating bill like new equipment would, but if you feel every little bit helps, you can try a few options like:
- Opening your window shades, curtains or blinds to let the sun in during the day. This will warm your home naturally and put less stress on your furnace.
- Putting draft stoppers on the doors.
- Insulating your windows with storm windows outside or plastic covering inside.
- Keeping your heating vents clear of dust and debris.
- Using portable, efficient space heaters -- you can turn down the overall temperature in your home, but keep the room you're in warm.
Sometimes little lifestyle habits may leave you surprised by how much you've saved on the energy bill.
Watch this: Easy Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills and Save Money
5. Check your home for air leaks
An important part of making sure your home isn't leaking warm air (aka money) is to make sure your home has minimal leaks. Call in an HVAC professional to check for any air leaks in your home; they'll likely perform a blower door test.
You might also consider insulating and sealing your home against energy or heat loss yourself. You can read more about how to insulate and air seal in our guide.
A few final tips to help you save
Since electric costs and heating costs are the same bill for many people, you can even work on reducing your electric consumption to help with that bill overall. Here are several resources to help you save on your electric bill:
- Free and easy tips for saving on your electric bill
- 24 tips for saving on electricity
- Smart devices to help with utility bill costs
- Ways to use weatherstripping around your home
It's also hard to know where to save on your electric bill if you don't know what the biggest energy sinks in your home are. Enter smart plugs with energy monitoring, which helps you read how much energy each device in your home takes and helps you track your energy output.
Down the line, if you should ever move, you may want to make sure the house you're buying is energy efficient. That will help reduce the urge to scream when you open your winter energy bill in the future, as well as other utility bills. This guide shows the different types of systems to keep an eye out for when house hunting. There are obvious signs that the home might be energy efficient, like the giant solar array on the roof. Subtler sustainability signs to watch out for include water harvesting systems, tankless water heaters and reclaimed wood.
