Cut your heating bill

Tips to help save money on heating your home this winter.

Counting on El Niño to keep your heating bills down this winter? Although there is a 95 percent chance that El Niño will continue through the Northern Hemisphere winter, relying on the weather is never a sure way to keep your home warm in the winter time.

How about some tips to cut the size of your heating bill?

  • Take advantage of winter sun. Open drapes and shades to let sunlight in on east and south windows during the day. Close drapes and shades when the sun goes down to keep warm air in.
  • Seal air leaks. Weather strip doors and windows. Caulk both interior and exterior cracks.
  • Control temperature in your home. Reduce day time heating in the winter. A preprogrammed thermostat is a worthwhile investment. If you don’t have a preprogrammed thermostat, manually adjust the temperature during hours of the day when no one is home. Adjust radiator valves, air duct dampers and heat registers according to activity taking place in areas of the home.
  • Change your air filter in your furnace! Keeping a clean filter in your furnace makes it easier for the heating system to do the job.
  • Close off unused rooms and closets.
  • Close the door of the attached garage in the winter.
  • Use a reversible ceiling fan to pull air up and to circulate the warm ceiling level air into the room.

Enlist the help of the entire family to keep energy usage down. Dressing warmly by wearing a sweatshirt or sweater or putting an extra blanket on the bed can help to keep everyone warm and comfortable while keeping the thermostat setting on a reasonable level.

Check out more energy usage tips at Michigan State University Extension.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit the  MSU Extension website . To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit MSU Extension News . To contact an expert in your area, visit the expert page , or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). 

Did you find this article useful?