By: Michael W. Rickard II That chill in the air is letting you know that winter will be here soon, and with it, those dreaded heating bills. Whether we love winter or hate it, nobody loves paying extra for their utility bill, which is why your friends at Your HWH have some ways to reduce your heatin...

By: Michael W. Rickard II

That chill in the air is letting you know that winter will be here soon, and with it, those dreaded heating bills. Whether we love winter or hate it, nobody loves paying extra for their utility bill, which is why your friends at Your HWH have some ways to reduce your heating bills.

1. Turn down your water heater: Turn down your water heater from 140 degrees to 120 degrees. According to some sources, you’ll save 3-5% on your energy bill for every 10 degrees you lower your heater.

2. Change your furnace filter: It’s a good idea to routinely change your furnace filter (typically every 2-3 months) for health and energy savings purposes.

3. Get a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat allows you to lower your temperature while you’re away at work or school, but raise it before you get home so you save money and have a warm house (or apartment) to return to. While this requires an initial investment, the long-term savings will make up for it.

4. Wear a sweater/hoodie/flannel/blanket: Netflix and chill shouldn’t mean lowering your thermostat and freezing. Consider layering yourself with a sweater, hoodie, or blanket to stay warm and save some bucks. This tip may not be an option for those with certain health restrictions.

5. Curtains are your friends: This old-school trick can help keep drafts out. Use curtains (preferably heavy ones) the right way and you can cut your heating loss by 10%.

6. The sun is your friend too: While it’s a smart move to close your curtains at night, you should utilize the daylight to help warm your home. Your windows facing the south will receive the most light so be sure to keep the curtains there open during the daytime.

7. Seal those drafts: You may notice a draft coming in from one or more windows, or a door. Fortunately, there are assorted items available to seal them such as weather stripping or caulking. Your local hardware store will have these and if you’re not sure how to install them, go on YouTube which has videos for just about everything. If you have an unfinished attic in your home, consider having it insulated. Not only will it warm the attic, but more importantly, it should reduce your home’s heat loss.

8. Seal those windows: Single-paned glass windows are going to lose heat, even if you weather strip them. While double-paned glass windows are much more energy-efficient, you may not be able to purchase them. However, you can purchase insulation kits which seal the entire window with transparent plastic that reduces heat loss and still allows you to get sunlight and see outside.

9. Double down: While you should never use your stove as a heating source i.e. “oven heat,” you can benefit from the heat generated when you use it to prepare a meal. If the extra heat normally has you opening a window, lower the thermostat instead to benefit from the increased temperature. You may be surprised at how this helps.

10. Get a check-up for your heating and cooling system: If you own your home, you owe it to yourself to get your heating and cooling system (HVAC) checked by a professional. Preventative maintenance can save you unnecessary repair bills and a well-maintained heating system can save you on your heating bill.

11. Check for energy-saving programs in your area: Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for assistance with your heating bill such as New York State’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP).

An Important Note: If you’re renting or leasing your home, you should check the terms of your rental agreement or lease to ensure you are authorized to make minor changes such as installing weather stripping, adjusting the water heater, etc. While a landlord should be happy to help you save money on your heating bill (and make minor improvements to the property), take care. In some cases, you may even be able to get the money you spend on these items taken off your rent or lease payment.

These tips are just for starters. For more details, check out some of the following sites:

https://www.libertymutual.com/masterthis/save-on-your-heating-bill
https://www.today.com/home/10-tricks-reducing-your-heating-bill-2D80555200
https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/