10 Tips for Keeping Your Heating Bills Low this Winter

Who doesn’t love cozying up indoors on a chilly winter day? Temperatures can really dip here in the mitten, which can lead to higher numbers on your thermostat, and higher numbers on your heating bill. Thankfully, lowering your heating bill doesn’t have to mean freezing in your own home. There are plenty of small things you can do to keep warm and improve your heating costs.
 

Bundle up! 

It’s winter, so it’s time to dress like it! Dressing in warmer clothes, wearing layers, putting on socks and slippers, and wearing your favorite hat will keep you nice and warm. The warmer you are, the lower you can set the thermostat. (It’s amazing the difference a pair of socks can make!)
 

Reverse your Ceiling Fans

Did you know ceiling fans have two settings? When you set your ceiling fan to run in reverse, or clockwise, it will push the warm air down to the floor which will redistribute heat throughout the room.
 

Let the Sun In

If there’s one thing the sun is great at, it’s keeping things warm. By letting the sunshine into rooms with good exposure, it will help warm things up inside. Just make sure to close those curtains once the sun sets. 
 

Don’t Heat an Empty Home

There’s not much use in keeping the heat running when no one is home. Many programmable thermostats let you set them to run lower when you are sleeping or when you are not home. 
 

Bring out the Winter Decor

Heavy curtains, thick blankets, flannel sheets, plush rugs, these items are more than just winter decorations, they can also help keep your home cozy and warm. Curtains in particular make a big difference as a lot of heat loss happens through your windows.
 

Close Some Doors

Depending on the size of your home, there are probably a few rooms in your house or apartment that you don’t use on a regular basis. Consider closing the vents and doors of those unused rooms. This will help focus the heat and keep the rooms you do use nice and toasty. 
 

Seal Off Gaps

If you are feeling cold air coming from windows or doors in your home, make sure they are closed and locked tightly. If you are still feeling cold air seep through, it might be time to start thinking about wrapping your windows for the winter, or adding draft stoppers to your doors. 
 

Insulate 

If it feels like you can’t keep heat in your home no matter what you try, you might need to add insulation to your walls or attic space. This will reduce the amount of heat being lost through your walls and roof.
 

Change Your Filters

The dreaded task that is almost impossible to remember to do: changing filters. If your heat pump or furnace has dirty filters, they might not be heating as efficiently which could be causing significantly higher heating bills. Changing your filters on a regular basis (every 1-3 months) will help your heating system work more efficiently.
 

Make an Upgrade

It’s no real surprise that an older heating system won’t work as well as a newer one. The older your heating unit is, the less efficient it’s going to be. The price tag for something like this might seem like too much, but you will end up paying less for heat in the long run. If you need help paying for a new heating system, a personal loan might be able to help.