With Winter quickly approaching, it’s time to bundle up, stoke the fires, and make sure the heating oil and propane tanks are full! However, it’s also important to save as much energy, and money, as you can in the process! Here’s some helpful tips on conserving energy and saving money during these cold months.
- Use ceiling fans to your advantage: Homes that have better ventilation and airflow can be more energy efficient in the summer and winter months. If you have a ceiling fan in your bedroom or apartment, you have more control over the ventilation than you know! Ceiling fans can be used strategically to achieve better airflow: counter-clockwise rotation will push hot air up in the summer and clockwise rotations will trap heat inside to keep the rooms warmer during the cooler months. Turn your ceiling fan on a low setting to gently push hot air back down.
- Adjust the thermostat at night: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save about 10 percent per year on your heating bills by turning your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours. Consider investing in flannel sheets and a warm comforter for your bed and keeping your apartment cooler when you sleep.
- Laundry Tips: Remember to clean the lint trap before every load; this step can save you up to $34 a year. Washing clothes in cold water can save the average household up to $30 annually on hot water heating cost, if you have a gas water heater.
- Decorate with LED lights for the holidays: Buy new LED holiday lights, which use at least 75 percent less energy and last 25 times longer than older, incandescent lighting. In addition to consuming less energy, LED lights don’t emit as much heat and are more resistant to breakage, making them a safer alternative. Bonus tip: Always unplug your holiday lights before going to bed or leaving the house. As with all appliances and electronics, your holiday lights will continue to draw power even when not in use, which adds unnecessary expense to utility bills.
- Invest in insulation: Hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs are lost each year due to escaping heat and cold air in homes without proper insulation. Get some inexpensive insulation from your local home improvement store, and cover up all those areas where heat might escape. Start with foam weather stripping for your doors and windows; it’s cheap and is extremely easy to apply.
These tips, along with the quality heating options here at Flynn’s Energy, can help keep you warm and potentially save hundreds this winter!