Prepare Your Home For Winter

Does it feel like you're spending a fortune every winter to heat your home and keep it comfortable? Are you hoping to avoid a huge electricity bill spike this winter? If so, the mere sight of your electricity bill in your mail might send your anxiety levels through the roof. Make it a point to save money on electricity this winter and avoid the emotional drama. Here are several ways to winter-proof your home and take control of your electricity bill.

1. Seal Gaps and Cracks in the Exterior of Your Home

Take a walk around the outside of your home and check to see if there are any gaps and cracks in the walls. There are pipes, wires, and a whole lot more going into your home and there might be tiny gaps and cracks around them. They can invite pests and other unwanted guests into your home, but they can also allow cooler air to sneak into your home unimpeded. This is how your energy savings can go right out the window. Literally.

Sealing these gaps and cracks will cut down on how often your HVAC system has to turn on, which will help you save money on electricity in no time.

2. Cover Your Windows with Plastic (or Replace Them Altogether)

Are the windows in your home fairly new? If they are, they’re probably double or triple-pane glass.  The multiple panes prevent cooler air from entering your home. But if they're a bit outdated and have experienced some wear and tear, they are likely single-pane glass, which doesn’t do a whole lot to insulate your home.

You can change that by investing in new windows for your home. However, if you can't afford to do that right now, you can also cover your windows up with plastic in the wintertime to create a barrier between your home and the outside world.

This will insulate your home, keeping the warm air in and the cold air out.

3. Learn How to Use Your Thermostat to Your Advantage

You might not realize it, but turning your thermostat up even just 1 or 2 degrees could cost you a lot of money every year.

There's nothing wrong with turning your thermostat up when you’re home to make things more comfortable. The real problem is how you use our thermostats when you’re not home or when you're sleeping. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends turning your thermostat down anywhere from 10 to 15 degrees lower than what you normally keep it at when you're not home or sleeping. You can save upwards of 10 percent on your electricity costs annually by doing this. If you haven’t already, you can also invest in a smart thermostat. You can learn more about smart thermostats and their benefits here.

4. Add Insulation to Your Attic

When was the last time you climbed into your attic and checked on your insulation? If it's been a while, there's a good chance that your attic insulation might not be doing a good job. It could potentially be allowing lots of warm air to rise in your home and escape from your roof.

By adding new insulation to an attic space, you can keep warm air in your home and prevent your HVAC system from having to work so hard to control the temperature.

5. Turn Off Heat in Rooms You Don't Use Regularly

Many homeowners have spare bedrooms, dens, and office spaces that they don't use on a regular basis. Yet, they continue to heat those rooms during the winter.

If you have unused rooms in your home, turn down or shut off the heat in them so that you’re not wasting energy when they're not being used or occupied. This will push more heat to the parts of your home that need it and might allow you to lower the heat by 1 or 2 degrees.

6. Utilize Your Ceiling Fans

Some people are under the misconception that you should shut your ceiling fans off in the wintertime and use them only in the summertime to cool your home. That couldn't be further from the truth. You can actually use your ceiling fan in the wintertime to keep more warm air circulating throughout your home.

Flip the switch on your ceiling fan and adjust it so that the blades on it spin in a clockwise direction. This will push warm air downward towards you. Make sure you don't turn the fan up too high though. If the blades are spinning too quickly, you could inadvertently create a breeze that will make your home feel cooler.

7. Find a New Electricity Provider

Sometimes, saving money on your electricity bill every month is as simple as finding a new electricity provider. If you're not happy with the electricity plan options you have  now, we may have what you need.  Finding affordable electricity for your home is just a click away.

Those living in certain parts of Texas, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania can track down fixed rate electricity plans that can save them money, even if they don't utilize any of the other winter-proofing tips listed here.

See How Easy It Is to Save Money on Electricity?

If your energy bills have been a lot higher than you would like or expect them to be in recent winters, it's time for you to act on it. Winter-proofing your home can be a lot easier than you might have thought, and you won’t have to sacrifice your comfort. By taking some simple steps, you’ll be able to bring your energy costs down and that will make a big difference in your quality of life and allow you to keep some extra money in your bank account.

Read our blog to find more tips on setting up electricity service and how to save money around your home and on your energy bills.