Most of the country has experienced a mild winter thus far, with the number of cold days, the amount of snow, and the general gloom of the season well below normal January levels. This has translated into lower utilities bills for those who live in colder regions. Heating costs, which can skyrocket in winter and take a hefty bite out of your budget, just aren’t at those same levels this year.
But don’t get too complacent. Meteorologists predict that the cold will finally arrive in the next couple months, bringing with it those higher gas costs that we dread. If you act now, you can take steps to reduce these expenses and save some money this winter – and, moreover, go green in the process. A greener home can also be more convenient for you and it can translate into lower insurance costs. Getting an Insurance quote can help you determine that with certainty.
Here are some tips for being more eco-friendly and wallet-friendly with your utilities this winter:
Get Energy Efficient Lights. These lights cost more money, but they also last longer and save more energy in the process. At the end of the day, they should result in noticeable savings.
Get A “Smart” Thermostat. High-tech thermostats, developed by a company called Nest Labs, have the ability to learn your habits and regulate your home temperature in a way that best maximizes heating efficiencies. As with light bulbs, this can translate into savings – substantial ones, in fact – despite costing more than traditional thermostats.
Insulate Your Attic. Adding insulation to your walls may be a costly and time-consuming undertaking, but in many homes it is not to difficult to add a layer of insulation to your attic floor. Since heat often escapes through the roof, this layer can be incredibly helpful in the winter.
Caulk Your Windows. Similarly, adding extra insulating protection to your windows can help trap heat in your home. If you live in an older structure, you may be surprised how much heat you are losing around your windows every day.
Taking all of these steps are all great ways to improve the efficiency of your home’s energy use, in the process making your house a more environmentally-friendly place. And, as an added bonus, this efficiency will extend into the area where to you it matters most – your personal finances.
Join our newsletter
Subscribe to get the latest "Engineer Your Finances" content via email.
I have done all these things and my utilities (Electric & gas) averages $70 per month for a 1,850 sq. ft. house.
Turing down your hot water heater to 120 is also a good idea. You don’t need water to go all the way up to 140 and it costs a lot more to keep those useless 20 degrees.