Tips for Lower Energy Bills

The shift to working from home has had numerous changes not only to our lifestyle but to our wallets as well. Nowadays, with us heavily relying on electricity, our energy bills are slowly going up. There are many ways of making conscious decisions to lower energy usage without making any drastic changes in our everyday life. There is more than one component that is affecting our expenses.

Keeping your home warm shouldn’t leave you broke. Follow our top tips on how to keep your home warm without having it cost an arm and a leg. You’d be surprised to find that reducing heating bills isn’t the only way to save money.

1. Turn Off Your Heating When Possible

Are you keeping an eye on your heating or do you leave it as it is all day long? If you do the former, keep on top of the weather forecast and adjust your heating accordingly. If you can, turn it off completely on warmer days.

Another thing you can do is adjust your central heating timer to only turn on as you wake up and turn off as you get ready for bed. This is a simple way to reduce heating bills throughout the year.

2. Turn Your Thermostat Down

Turning your thermostat down one degree can help you reduce your energy bill significantly without compromising comfort. A change as small as a one-degree difference shouldn’t be felt, so you can use this clever step to save money.

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t make any extreme changes in temperature and sacrifice your health and comfort, but a one-degree difference should be optimal and hard to differ.

3. Have Your Boiler Examined

When was the last time you got your boiler serviced? Getting a regular boiler check is important to keep it working safely. Proper maintenance can also improve the efficiency of your boiler, which can lower your energy bills noticeably.

The best time to get the examination done is before the colder months, although there is no wrong time of the year to call an expert

4. Program Your Thermostat

Going out for a couple of hours? Turn your thermostat down 7-10 degrees, and you can save on your energy bills by 10% per year. Out of town for the weekend? Repeat again.

All this switching back and forth can get on your nerves if you’re not used to it. If you want to make your life easier, you can invest in a smart thermostat. It can make the process automatic, and some devices can even be controlled by an app on your phone.

Don’t worry as they’re not very expensive and can be a clever solution to high energy bills.

5. Dress in Warm Clothing

Winter is the favorite time for pajama enthusiasts to stay in. Wearing warmer clothing indoors will keep you from cranking up the heat. What’s better, you can use the occasion to make yourself a hot tea and roll up in a cozy blanket.

The warmer you feel inside the house, the less work the heating unit will have to operate. The secret to saving on your heating bill is by dressing in layers – a pair of warm slippers, a hat, and fluffy clothes.

6. Take Care of Air Leaks

A reason your heating unit is working extra might be air leaks. Hunt them down by checking your walls, windows, ceiling, and doors for any escaping air. Look out for gaps, holes, and weather stripping falling apart.

When testing the windows, you can do the old candle test. It is performed by holding a flame near the windows, and if it flickers, then there’s an air leak.

7. Shut Doors in Unused Rooms

Winter is the favorite time for pajama enthusiasts to stay in. Wearing warmer clothing indoors will keep you from cranking up the heat. What’s better, you can use the occasion to make yourself a hot tea and roll up in a cozy blanket.

The warmer you feel inside the house, the less work the heating unit will have to operate. The secret to saving on your heating bill is by dressing in layers – a pair of warm slippers, a hat, and fluffy clothes.

8. Don’t Forget the Fireplace

Sometimes lightning up the fireplace can heat one room but leave the rest of the house cold. This is because the warmth is focused in one place. If you’re not using the fireplace, it’s a good idea to close the damper and cover the fireplace opening.

These small tweaks can help as they don’t let the heat escape through the chimney.

Conclusion

Keeping your home warm in the winter can be a real drain on your wallet, but if you put a few of these tricks to work, you’ll be able to save up on your energy bills.

It’s a good idea to use the money you’ve saved with these methods to invest in insulation. In this way, you can lower your expenses for good without having to worry about heating again. If you want more inspiration for home improvement, check out our other articles. Also, if you need to repair your home in any way, feel free to contact us.