Tips for Lowering Winter Utility Bills It seems like the utility bill always spikes in the cold winter months. There are obvious reasons for this, but there are some not so obvious ways to reverse this price increase. In fact, you can maintain a low billing amount if you incorporate some simple lifestyle changes into your winter routine. The following is a list of fabulous ways to decrease that utility cost during the colder months of the year.
Solar Mounting Systems This is an option that is usually overlooked but can drastically change the cost of your utilities yearround. Many people mistakenly believe that your solar mounting system will not work during the winter. This is not true. As long as there is daylight and the panels are not buried in snow, it will be generating power for your home. Interestingly, you can also generate excess power in the sunny summer months which can then be saved for winter. Not only will you be cutting down your utility bill, you will also be contributing to a greener and healthier earth. When it comes right down to it, there really aren’t any disadvantages to installing a solar mounting system for your home.
Regulating the Thermostat There are some pretty fancy thermostats out there that can automatically adjust to match your schedule. These thermostats keep track of when you are home and when you are gone and adjust your home’s temperature accordingly. While these are very handy, they are not necessary to lower your bill. All you really need is to be disciplined enough to remember to lower your thermostat temperature when you leave the home and before you go to sleep. You don’t need to have the heat running really high while you are gone and at night you can toss an extra blanket on your bed to keep warm. You can keep the thermostat set even lower while you are home by wearing socks and sweaters inside. While some of these changes may not be the most desirable, your bank account will thank you when your utility bill comes due.
Winterize Your Home A really simple way to winterize your home is to close off rooms that you do not use very often. Close the vents in the unused room, lower the blinds and draw the curtains to make sure the room doesn’t get too cold. Then, pull the door closed so it doesn’t cause the rest of your home to get colder. You can also winterize your home by sealing off gaps that form around windows and doors. Buy some calking or some weather stripping to seal off these gaps. Leaving these gaps open will cause your home to bleed warm air, causing your furnace to run more often. A simple way to check for
these gaps is to shine a flashlight around the edges of your door or window. If somebody on the outside can see the light shining through a crack, then you will need to seal off that crack with calk.
Cut Your Costs These are just a few tips on how to lower utility costs during the winter months. Take advantage of them to dramatically decrease the aggravating spike in your bill when it gets colder outside. Photo Credit: Luigi Alesi, Bert Kaufmann