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Winter’s almost here! If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you know winter is when the energy bills start growing. Whether you have heating oil, electric or natural gas energy, we've got some energy-efficiency tips that will save you money!
Winterizing your home is the key to staying cozy without burning through cash.
We've researched some of the best (and most simple) energy saving tips for a cozy and energy-efficiency home. So, bookmark this friendly guide to simple, budget-friendly tips that’ll keep your home warm and energy-efficient all season long.
1. Seal Up Those Sneaky Drafts
- Tip: Hunt down those sneaky drafts around windows and doors. Weatherstripping is easy to install and can work wonders to block the cold. Use the candle trick—light a candle near suspected drafty spots and watch for the flame to flicker. For doors, use Kerf Weather Stripping as this will give the best results. If you have a super old home and don't think that will work, this Peel and Stick Weather Stripping will do just fine as well.
- Why It Works: Drafts can account for up to 30% of a home’s energy loss. Plugging them up means you’ll keep warm air where it belongs—inside.
2. Add Extra Attic Insulation
- Tip: Think of your attic as a warm winter hat for your house. Add an extra layer of insulation up there to trap the heat. It’s like giving your home a cozy blanket. DIY-friendly spray foam insulation or classic roll out fiberglass batt insulation should do the trick. You can also rent a blow machine from your local Lowe's or Home Depot and do blown-in insulation if you're up for the DIY job.
- Why It Works: Attics are a top culprit for heat loss. Proper insulation cuts down on heating costs by keeping warm air from slipping out.
3. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
- Tip: Flip that ceiling fan switch to clockwise! This pushes warm air back down from the ceiling, keeping your space toasty.
- How-To: Find the small switch on the fan base, usually on the side, and flip it. Voila!
- Why It Works: Warm air rises, and this trick recirculates it, reducing the need to crank up the heat.
4. Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat
- Tip: Set it, forget it, and save money! Program your thermostat to lower the temperature when you’re away or asleep and to warm up before you wake up or get home.
- Product Suggestion: Nest and Ecobee thermostats are easy to install, and people love them. You can also control your temperature settings all from your phone as well.
- Why It Works: You can save up to 10% on heating costs by setting back your thermostat by 7-10°F for 8 hours a day.
5. Cozy Up with Insulating Curtains
- Tip: Heavy, thermal curtains keep drafts at bay. Use them to block out the cold at night, and let the sun in during the day. Check out these Thermal Blackout Curtains, they're affordable and effective.
- Why It Works: Insulating curtains add a layer of protection and make rooms feel instantly cozier.
6. Lay Down Rugs for Extra Warmth
- Tip: If you’ve got cold, hard floors, throw down some area rugs. They trap heat and feel great underfoot. Switching over to carpet in your rooms is a good long term idea for insulation purposes - Check out Empire Today if that's the route you want to go. If you like your hardwood, Raymour & Flanigan is the way to go for the best rugs for cold hard floors.
- Why It Works: Rugs add insulation, especially on hardwood or tile, and they just make rooms feel warmer overall.
7. Get Your Fireplace Winter-Ready
- Tip: Have a fireplace? Here are our fireplace maintenance tips for winter: make sure it’s clean and safe to use, and check for drafts. If you’re not using it, a chimney balloon can block cold air.
- Why It Works: A well-maintained fireplace is both cozy and efficient. A drafty chimney? Not so much.
8. Wrap Those Pipes
- Tip: Insulate any exposed pipes to keep them from freezing, bursting, and causing a mini-indoor ice age.
- How-To: If you want to know how to prevent pipes from freezing, grab some foam pipe insulation or self-sealing pipe wrap from your local hardware store.
- Why It Works: Not only does this prevent costly repairs, but it also helps hot water travel faster—so you’re not wasting water waiting for it to warm up.
9. Seal Off Unused Rooms
- Tip: How to save energy in winter by sealing rooms is very simple. If there are rooms you don’t use as much in the winter, seal them off. Close vents, shut doors, and place a draft stopper at the bottom.
- Why It Works: Heating unused space is a waste of energy. Focus on keeping the rooms you’re in warm and toasty.
10. Switch to LED Winter Lights
- Tip: Planning on lighting up your home for the holidays? Use LED lights instead of traditional bulbs to save on energy and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Product Suggestion: Choose energy-efficient LED holiday lights or fairy lights to add a cozy glow.
- Why It Works: LED lights use up to 75% less energy and last much longer, making them a win-win for winter and beyond.
There you have it!
Ten simple, effective, and downright cozy ways to winterize your home this season. By taking these steps now, you’ll save energy, stay warm, and even trim a bit off that heating bill. So grab your tool belt (and maybe a hot coffee), and get your home ready for winter!
