It would help if you had your heater to stay comfortable. However, that doesn’t mean you have to pay a fortune for your electric bills. There are several steps that you can take to reduce your electric bills.
Let Your Sun Warm Your Home
You can take advantage of the natural heat from the sun. The winter days are colder, but you can still warm up your home if you open the shades and curtains. Keep your shades and curtains all day. You can keep the chilly air out of your home at night by closing the shades and curtains.
Dress for the Weather
You may be able to tolerate lower temperatures in your home if you dress appropriately. Dress in layered clothing. You can also put on a hat. A hat will prevent the heat from escaping your body. Additionally, you can keep yourself warm by drinking hot coffee or cocoa.
Do Not Heat Rooms That You Do Not Use
If you have rooms in your home that you do not use, there is no need to waste heat on them. You can prevent the heat from flowing to those rooms by closing the doors and putting a towel in front of them. It is also a clever idea to close the vents in those rooms.
Adjust the Thermostat
The best way to lower electric bills is to change the temperature on your thermostat. If you reduce the temperature on your thermostat by 10 degrees, then you may be able to reduce the electric bills by 10 percent. It is best to lower the temperature on the thermostat during the times when you are away or sleeping. Bundle up while in bed to stay comfortable while you are sleeping.
Do Not Use Vent Fans
The vent fans in your bathroom and kitchen are designed to keep the odors out of the room. However, they can make your home more uncomfortable. The vent fans tend to remove the warm air from your home. They can also dry out your home. You may not need to use the bathroom fan after you shower in the winter. It is okay to use the vent fan in the kitchen occasionally.
Use Your Ceiling Fan
If you have a ceiling fan, it can spread warm air throughout the room. You need to reverse the direction of the blades. Warm air tends to rise. The ceiling fan causes the warm air to go back down.
Get An Energy Audit
Your home may be losing heat unnecessarily. You may not know if you have air leaks, so it is a clever idea for you to get an energy audit. You can do your energy audit, but you will get a more accurate report if a professional does it. Professionals also have access to the tools that you do not have.
Add Insulation to Your Home
Insulation helps keep your home warm by preventing the air from escaping. Consult with a professional so that you can find out exactly what your home needs. You can get blow-in insulation added to your home. You can also seal the windows and doors.
Use Humidifiers And Space Heaters
There are many tools that you can use to cool your home in addition to your heating systems, including humidifiers and space heaters. A space heater can be used to heat your room. If everyone has a space heater in their room, you may not have to turn on the heater. A humidifier increases the humidity in the air. When the air is moist, it feels warmer than dry. You can either get a whole-house humidifier or have a humidifier placed in every room.
Talk to Your Electricity Provider
If you feel like you are paying too much for electricity, it does not hurt to reach out to your electricity provider. They may be able to lower your electric bills. Some areas will allow you to get financial assistance for electric bills.
Get Regularly HVAC Services
If your room heater has not received maintenance this year, you should get it done as soon as possible. As per a local St. Louis HVAC services team, “An annual tune-up and maintenance will allow your heater to run more efficiently. It does not have to work as hard to warm your home. This means that your energy bills will be lower.” There are other benefits that you can reap from your heating system serviced. Your heater will be less likely to break down. This means that you can save a lot of money on repairs. You also do not have to worry about your heater failing when you need it the most. Furthermore, your heater will last much longer.
Change Filters regularly
Extensive maintenance is something that needs to be handled by a professional. However, basic maintenance can be taken care of by you. Filter changes are a part of basic maintenance. The type of heater you have will determine how often you need to change the filter. Most filters need to be changed at least once every 30 to 90 days. Check with the owner’s manual before you change your filter. Changing your filter will also ensure clean air circulates throughout your home. The filter helps trap dirt, allergens and bacteria.
Cook At Home
Most people prefer eating warm meals in the wintertime. This includes things like roasts, stews and soups. It would be best if you considered preparing more meals at home. You will not only be able to save money by not having to go to restaurants, but you will also be able to keep your home warm. After you have finished cooking, you should let the oven door stay open. The warm air can circulate throughout your home.
Change the Way That Your Furniture Is Arranged
Rearranging your furniture not only helps your home look better, but it can also help keep your home warm. The way that your furniture is arranged may be blocking the vents. If you have beds, couches and bookcases blocking the vents, you should rearrange them.
Use a Smart Thermostat
It would be best if you replaced your current thermostat with a smart one. Smart thermostats are programmed based on your preferences. You can adjust the settings to where the heat is automatically lowered when sleeping or away from home.
Upgrade Your Fireplace
It is nice to sit in front of the fireplace in the winter months. However, your fireplace can cause you to spend more money on heating bills. If you have a traditional fireplace, 80 percent of the heat goes out through the chimney. You may want to upgrade your fireplace to one that is more energy efficient.
Put a Jacket Over Your Water Heater
If your water heater doesn’t have a jacket, it is probably losing heat. You can tell whether your water heater needs a jacket by touching it. If the water heater is warm, then it likely needs a jacket. However, it is a good idea for you to check the owner’s manual to ensure that your water heater can be covered.