There are several ways that you can save on energy costs this winter. Whether you’re hoping to ease your impact on the planet or just want to save a few dollars, reducing your energy use can help you get there. In fact, 10 percent of renters in a recent Rent.com survey said that utilities are their most significant monthly expense, coming in third after monthly rent and groceries.
Heating and cooling your apartment, especially those in regions with extreme temperature shifts, can be among the more expensive components of your utility bill. Luckily, making some easy adjustments in your home can dramatically reduce how much you spend on energy.
Here are several tips to reduce energy consumption and maintain comfortable temperatures in your home this winter:
1 – Use the Sun
Use the sun for free heat. That bright orb in the sky should be the focus of temperature control in your residence throughout the year. Open the curtains on your south-facing windows during winter days to bring free heat into your home. Close your window coverings when the sun goes down to keep the heat inside.
2 – Bundle Up
Bundle up with warm accessories. This is one of the easiest ways to save on your heating bill. Instead of turning the heat up, put on a cozy winter sweater and warm socks. Keep throw blankets on your couch, and add an area rug to insulate the floor.
3 – Use Ceiling Fans to Your Advantage
Homes that have better ventilation and airflow can be more energy efficient in the summer and winter months. If you have ceiling fans in your apartment, you have more control over ventilation than you know. Ceiling fans can be used strategically to achieve better airflow. When turning counter-clockwise, fans will push hot air up in the summer. If you set your fan to turn clockwise, it will trap heat inside to keep your rooms warmer during cooler months. Turn your ceiling fan on a low setting to gently push hot air back down.
4 – Adjust the Thermostat at Night
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save about 10 percent per year on your heating bills by turning your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours. Consider investing in flannel sheets and a warm comforter for your bed and keeping your apartment cooler when you sleep.
5 – Only Heat Rooms You Use
If you have rooms that you never use, like guest rooms or large storage areas, close and seal off the vents in those rooms to be more energy-efficient and direct the flow of air to the rooms you use most. Energy bills run, on average, $183 per month. By using a space heater in the rooms where you need it and setting the thermostat to 62 degrees, you can save approximately $200 each year.
6 – Keep Your Furnace Clean
Keeping your furnace and vents properly maintained will reduce energy consumption and help you save. Check your furnace filter monthly and replace it when it gets dirty.
7 – Get a Humidifier
Get a humidifier to add moisture to the air. The air inside your home can become very dry. Moist air feels warmer. It holds heat better, so a humidifier can help you feel comfortable when your thermostat is set at a lower temperature. You can also increase the humidity in your apartment with a collection of house plants.
8 – Invest in Insulation
Hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs are lost each year due to escaping heat and cold air in homes without proper insulation. Get some inexpensive insulation from your local home improvement store, and cover up all those areas where heat might escape. Start with foam weather stripping for your doors and windows; it’s cheap and is extremely easy to apply.
9 – Use LED Lights for Decoration
Decorate with LED lights for the holidays. Buy new LED holiday lights, which use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than older, incandescent lighting. In addition to consuming less energy, LED lights don’t emit as much heat. They are more resistant to breakage, making them a safer alternative. Bonus tip: Always unplug your holiday lights before going to bed or leaving the house. As with all appliances and electronics, your holiday lights will continue to draw power even when not in use, which adds unnecessary expense to utility bills.
10 – Minimize Exhaust Fan Use
Exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom pull the hot air that rises to the ceiling out of your apartment. Use exhaust fans sparingly, and shut them off when you are done with them.
Conclusions
So, if you’d like to save on energy costs this winter, then try one of these ten things:
- Use the sun
- Bundle up
- Use ceiling fans correctly
- Adjust the thermostat at night
- Only heat rooms you use
- Keep your furnace clean
- Get a humidifier
- Invest in insulation
- Use LED lights for holiday decorations
- Minimize exhaust fan usage
If you’d like help to save on energy costs this winter, then you can always enlist the helping hands of the expert home service professionals here at Rod Johnson Air Conditioning. Contact us to learn more about ways to save money this holiday season!