In light of the recent snowfall from Winter Storm Jonas, I thought it would be a great time to add a few tips on ways to save energy during the chilly winter months.
I use all of these tips in my own home and they do work!
- Bundle up. I have a HUGE collection of sweaters and I use them during the winter. I wear those, fleece leggings, and blankets when I’m at home. And, I keep my heat at a modest 67 degrees (sometimes I bump it up to a whopping 69, but that’s only on super cold days).
- Use solar gain. Open up your blinds during the day to use the sun to warm up your living areas. At night close them up to prevent your heat from leaving through your windows.
- Check your furnace filters and clean or replace them regularly. If you’re like me, you are busy and this is the last thing that you remember to do every month. Add an alert to your phone or put it in your planner so you don’t forget.
- Upgrade your insulation. I’m fortunate that my home is essentially brand new (it was a full remodel) and that my brother has a spray foam insulation business. It significantly helps keep my heating bills in check.
- Turn the thermostat down at night. I turn mine back to 64 at night. Sure, I wake up and things are chilly, but bump it up and drink some tea when you wake up. (And, you can also invest in some super sexy fleece or flannel pajamas to keep warm at night.)
- Close vents in the rooms you don’t use. I only have one thermostat for the whole house, but only use my downstairs rooms. By closing the vents in the rooms I don’t use, I conserve energy and save money.
- Check for any holes around windows and door and caulk them up. Check seals around chimneys and recessed lighting and reinforce them if possible.
Employing just a few of these will help you save money and stay warmer throughout this winter storm and those to come!
