Central heating is necessary if you want to keep warm during the cold winter months, but it can also quickly add up to your list of hefty expenses. However, this does not mean that there’s nothing you can do about it. There are many ways in which you can lower your heating expense and save more (we are not suggesting that you turn off your heating). Keep on reading to find out how you can cut your heating bill.
Wear Warm Clothes
The fact is that the more layers you strap on during winter, the less heating you use at home. You will certainly notice a difference if you decide you put on a sweater over your tee shirt or wear warmer pants and a pair of woolen socks. Protecting your feet from the cold can automatically make you feel cozier and warmer. Thus, you won’t have to switch on your heating system all the time.
Moreover, you can also curl up in a comforter or a blanket, especially when you are sitting, watching television, or reading a book. You can keep the thermostat down this way and save yourself from unnecessary expenses.
Allow the Winter Sun to Shine
You might not get to see enough of the sun during the wintertime, but it does not completely disappear. Keep your curtains and blinds open during the day and use the heat you get from the sun’s rays to keep your house warm. You can close the curtains and blinds at night to an added layer of insulation. Try to take as much advantage of the sun as you can as it can help you avoid the use of a heating system.
Close Rooms
There might be a room or two in your house that you hardly ever use. There is no need to heat the entire house, so close off all of the unnecessary rooms that you don’t visit frequently. Be sure to close the vents that are not in use to save up on your electricity bill. If you want to seal off the rooms effectively, you may use a towel or a blocker at the base of a door or over a vent. However, don’t allow your closed rooms to get completely frozen, especially if you have water pipes in them. This is because the cold can penetrate the walls and cause the pipes to freeze; thus, doing more harm to you than good.
Adjust the Thermostat
You can make a huge difference in your heating bill if you simply adjust the thermostat. For instance, by lowering the thermostat by ten degrees, you can save up to 10% on your heating bill. The best time to turn down the thermostat is when you go to bed and before you leave your house in the morning. You can also completely switch off your heating at night or in the morning as soon as you leave, provided that there isn’t anyone else in the house.
Eat Warm Food
During winter, it is common for people to consume warm foods such as soup, roasts, stew, and eggs. Some people also feel drawn to baking and consuming more baked goods. Consuming warm, comforting food will not only save your restaurant and take-out bills, but it will also lower your heating expense. This is because the heat transmitted through the stove or oven will eventually make your house warmer. After you have finished baking, you can switch off the oven and leave the door slightly open to allow the heat to come through.
Insulate your Home
Did you know that about 30% of the heat loss in your home is because of your windows? This is because sometimes the windows are open or the curtains are too thin to hold off the cold air. This can be an easy fix if you simply insulate your home better. Think about your home as an envelope that needs to be sealed from all corners to prevent air from penetrating. You can consider buying thick curtains or adding an additional layer in the existing ones to keep the cold air out.
Use Ceiling Fans
You’ve read that correctly. Did you know that ceiling fans are a great way to keep the house warm and reduce billing? All you have to do is get a ceiling fan that moves in the clockwise direction instead of in an anticlockwise direction. The heat that rises in your home accumulates at the ceiling, which is no good. So, in order to get spread that heat out, you will need a ceiling fan that rotates anticlockwise. You can usually do this yourself by changing the setting on the bottom. Make sure that the fan is moving at its slowest speed for full effects.
Furthermore, some people use a cost-effective way of staying warm during winters by installing humidifiers. Humid air usually feels warmer than normal air. Thus, by adding a humidifier to your home, you can improve the level of comfort without adding more cost to your heating bill.
Conclusion
Heating can really drain out your wallet, but if you follow the above tips, you will definitely be able to save a lot on your heating bill. You can calculate the amount of heating you use and manage your budget accordingly. Try using these tips one at a time for a better experience. It is really that simple. If these tips don’t keep you warm, we don’t know what will.
