How to Save Money on Your Heating Bill Part 1

While the temperature outside goes down, you may see your heating bills go way up this year! 

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you save money this winter.

TIP: Using Your Fan

It might seem counterintuitive to turn on a fan when you want to get warm, but in fact, a ceiling fan can be your greatest asset in the winter months. A fan set to move clockwise (opposite the direction for summer) and run at low speed creates an updraft. This pulls cold air up to the ceiling and more evenly distributes the warmth the room receives from your central heating system, space heater, or fireplace. The fan moves the air to keep things cozy throughout your living space instead of letting cold pockets settle anywhere.

Again, the temperature isn’t actually changing; it just feels that way—so, as in the summer, turn the ceiling fan off when exiting the room.

Pro tip: There are ceiling fans with built-in space heaters on the market, and while they may not save you energy or money, they can solve the problem of a perennially cold room when central heat can’t effectively do the job.

Correct Ceiling Fan Direction Can Cut Energy Costs

Operating a ceiling fan correctly can help lower your utility bill. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), if you use air conditioning during hot weather, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F without you ever feeling the difference. 

Reversing fan direction in winter can also save energy because it will keep warm air, which naturally rises, down to where you actually feel it. This can allow you to turn the thermostats down a bit without feeling noticeably colder. Ceiling fan manufacturers claim that doing this consistently and correctly can reduce heating bills by up to 15 percent. For extra savings, run the fan at a lower speed in winter.

TIP: Humidity

Using a humidifier to raise the indoor humidity level in your home to between 30% and 50% can make your house feel warmer inside during cold, winter weather without raising the thermostat or increasing your heating bills.

I am obsessed with mine because not only does it have a large capacity water tank, it is also one of the highest rated. Unintended benefit is that your skin feels amazing and isn’t as dry. Click below to get my recommendation! 

TIP: Using The Power of Sunlight!

Open curtains during the day to allow the sun to warm your home, then close curtains at night to trap in the heat. The most vital part is to remember to close your curtains at night because this is where and when heat loss most occurs!

On the sides of the home where there is good sun exposure, keep trees and shrubs pruned away so the windows can receive full sunlight.