As the leaves change color, you probably make adjustments to your wardrobe and pull your heavy winter clothes out of storage. Have you considered making similar adjustments to your home as the seasons change? Just like you need warmer clothes to be comfortable in the winter, making changes in your home for the different seasons will help your home run more efficiently. As a bonus, these adjustments can help lower your energy bill.
We’ve identified some of our favorite no-cost, low-cost and higher-cost winter energy-saving tips to keep you warm and your wallet happy.
No-cost energy tips
- Switch the rotation of your ceiling fan blades to rotate clockwise which will bring warm air back down to you.
- Keep your curtains open during the day to let the sun warm your home. But don’t forget to close them once the sun goes down.
- Update the schedule on your programmable thermostat. We recommend keeping your home set at 68°F during the winter. For even more savings, join our smart thermostat savings program with your Nest or Ecobee smart thermostat.
- Keep your garage door closed so that warm air stays trapped against the garage-side wall of your house.
- Adjust the temperature on your water heater to 120°F. This will keep the water warm enough for you to shower comfortably without using energy to heat water you aren’t using.
- Schedule a free home energy analysis which is available to all Piedmont Electric members. We’ll send an experienced energy specialist out to your home to make suggestions for improvements.
- Schedule a free home energy analysis for more information.
Low-cost energy tips
- Use weather stripping or caulk to seal gaps around doors and windows. This will help prevent warm air from escaping and cool air from entering your home.
- Change out the air filters in your home monthly so that your HVAC unit can continue working efficiently.
- Weather proof your windows with a clear, plastic film to reduce heat loss. It’s a quick and cheap project that will help keep you warm all winter and then you can easily remove it in the spring.
- Instead of running the heat through your entire home, use a space heater to warm only the room you’re using. Remember to turn it off before leaving the room or going to bed and never leave it unattended.
- Add an insulated water-heater blanket to your electric water heater to prevent heat loss from the tank.
- When decorating your home for the holidays, use LED lights and set them on a timer so you don’t accidentally leave them on during the day.
Higher-cost energy tips
- Consider replacing your fireplace with a more energy-efficient electric model or add doors to your existing fireplace to help stop air leaks when not in use.
- If your home is older, add insulation in your attic as it may have broken down over time. This will keep your house warmer during the chilly winter months.
- Schedule a cleaning and maintenance service for your HVAC unit. The amount you spend now could help your system run efficiently for a longer period of time.
- For the latest energy tips, check out our save energy & money section.