30 ways to cut your energy bill this winter

Energy bills can skyrocket during the coldest months of the season, thanks to poor insulation and rising energy costs. Fortunately, you can cut your heating bills by making a few smart adjustments to your daily routine. If you’re not sure where to start, the following tips can help.

1. Lower your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting

Dropping your thermostat down just one degree can lead to a 3% decrease in your monthly utility bill. Additionally, the US Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 68°F for optimal comfort and savings.

2. Clean your heating system filters

Replace fiberglass filters and wash aluminum mesh filters. Keeping your filters clean helps your furnace run more efficiently while protecting you against particles.

3. Check your air vents for obstructions

Your furnace won’t help much if your vents are blocked! Check that they’re open first. Then, remove any clothes, shoes, or chilly pets that may like to lie on top of the vent.

4. Open the drapes

Yes, opening your drapes can help lower your bills. Open them on sunny days in the morning to take advantage of the sunlight. As the sun sets, close them to retain heat.

5. Leave storm doors and windows closed whenever the heater is on

Double-check for gaps or cracks that might let warm air escape unintentionally.

6. Drop your heat down while you’re out

If you’ll be gone for a day or two, consider lowering your thermostat to 60°F. That way, you aren’t heating your home unnecessarily. However, if you have pets, consider leaving it a little warmer for them.

7. Close wall or floor heating registers and shut the doors in unused rooms

If you have rooms you don’t use very often, there’s little reason to actively heat them. Closing the registers and doors directs warmer air to rooms you use more often, making distribution more efficient.

8. Check the label on your water heater

Make sure it’s energy efficient. If you have an older water heater that isn’t energy efficient, start thinking about a replacement. This can be an expensive purchase, but efficient water heaters can save you some money in the longer term.

9. Set your ceiling fan to rotate clockwise

Yes, your ceiling fan can warm you up if you set it to rotate clockwise. This can help warm the area immediately under it and prevent you from dialing the heat up.

10. Insulate all pipes running in and out of your water heater tank

Place an insulated blanket around older water heaters.

11. Lower your water heater to the vacation setting

If you plan to be gone two or more days, putting your water heater on low or vacation can prevent it from warming water without reason.

12. Wash laundry in the coolest water possible

Make sure to use full loads as well.

13. Install a low-flow showerhead

Low-flow showerheads can reduce your hot water use by 50%–70%.

14. Don’t run your dishwasher unless it’s completely full

This is a good idea during any season, but it’s especially so in the winter.

15. Replace your table lamps with compact fluorescent lights

This can help you save up to 75% on light use.

16.Try using one large bulb instead of several smaller ones

Larger bulbs tend to be more efficient than multiple smaller bulbs. As a bonus, try using LED lighting to save even more energy.

17. Switch to tungsten-halogen incandescent bulbs

This can sometimes cut your lighting costs by as much as 15%.

18. Use low-watt light bulbs anywhere lighting isn’t critical

There’s little use in having a ton of light in spaces you don’t often use.

19. Install dimmer switches throughout your home

While this may be a larger project, dimmer switches can help you control how much light you use.

20. Place hanging and floor lamps in corners

Your walls can help reflect light energy, dispersing heat more effectively.

21. Shut off electronics and lights whenever no one’s home or in the room

This is an easy one, but it’s also easy to forget. Additionally, consider purchasing smart outlets that reduce the use of phantom energy.

22. Set your fridge and freezer temperatures properly

Keep freezer temperatures at 0–5°F. Keep refrigerator temperatures at 36–40°F.

23. Wait for cooked meals to cool to room temperature before placing them inside the refrigerator

This will reduce the work your fridge needs to do to keep everything cool.

24. If possible, keep your refrigerator away from direct sunlight, heating vents, the dishwasher, and stove

While this may be challenging or impossible in some cases, keeping your fridge as far away from these things as possible will help it run more efficiently.

25. Keep your freezer as full as you can

This helps prevent cold air from escaping when you open the door. However, avoid overloading it.

26. Defrost your refrigerator and freezer

Whenever frost becomes a quarter-inch thick, you should defrost it for better effectiveness.

27. Plan your meals so you can cook everything in the oven at once

Cooking everything in one shot reduces energy consumption and heat escape. Don’t open the oven door until your food is completely finished cooking.

28. Consider reheating leftovers in the oven

Conventional ovens are often more economical than microwaves. When it comes to reheating takeout food and leftovers, use the oven if you have the time.

29. Defrost frozen food before baking or microwaving

Defrosting frozen food before heating it can reduce energy use from your oven or microwave by as much as one-third.

30. Use your dryer properly

Don’t overload your clothes dryer and make sure to clean the lint filter after every load.

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