Winter is coming and for many people, it means much more than lower temperatures: it also means a much higher electric bill during a period where time is often taken off work for the holidays.
It’s not a winning proposition for anyone involved.
If you’re looking to ensure that you can save some money during the cold season this year then read on: we’ll show you how to get more energy efficient and save yourself some of the higher costs of heating while the next cold front rolls in.
1. Lock Things Down
The first step to take is to look through the whole home for any extra areas where wind can pass through.
Have a chimney? Close it up.
Keep windows closed as often as possible.
Shut the door.
All of this will add up to big savings by the end of the season. It’s often the little things that people ignore which can lead to huge amounts of extra energy expenses by the end of the season.
2. Set the Thermostat Right
Programmable and smart thermostats can be a pain but many people overlook how useful they can be when it comes to saving money.
Many people leave their thermostats at the same temperature setting no matter what time of day or year it is. Try lowering from the usual 72°-75° range to something like 68° during the day.
At night, or at least after bedtime, you can lower it even more for the best results. Many people set them as low as 55° when they’re sleeping.
It’s been found that most people actually sleep better in the cold and an extra quilt will end up costing far less than the gas and electricity used to heat the home by the end of the season.
Better sleep and lower bills? That’s a double win for those who choose to go down that route.
3. Use Energy Efficient Space Heating
Space heaters are notorious energy hogs. We all know that, and it’s often wiser to rely on the central air in a home than the old fashioned style of space heaters. There’s less fire risk and cheaper.
However, if you’re willing to look into newer technologies you might just be surprised.
In particular, the smaller and more efficient micathermic heaters. They work by utilizing a special coating that helps keep heat in place for longer and also passing air through the element to create an ultra-efficient unit.
They’re smaller than normal space heaters as well. This means smaller elements that require less energy with the capability of warming larger areas…
Continue reading and learn more about energy efficiency on James Watt’s blog
You may also like
Heating oil is a great option for many home-owners to keep their house warm, but one that many don’t know about. It isn’t widely used, but those ...
There is nothing worse than being cold in your own home. Plus, the chances are that if you’re feeling a chill, your children will be too, which i...
Does your home suffer from chilly floorboards, or do you have draughts coming up from beneath the house? You may be missing out on the benefits o...
Is an annual service for my boiler necessary or is it just a waste of money? This is one of the most commonly asked questions in the heating indu...
