9 Smart Energy-Saving Tips For Winter

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9 Smart Energy-Saving Tips For Winter

According to US weather reports, the Pacific Northwest and surrounding states are likely to experience a colder than usual winter this year. Meanwhile, two-thirds of the country will likely not experience much cold. With reports indicating that the season will last from December through to early March, now would be an opportune moment to learn about the preparation required to navigate through the season. More importantly, you might get to save on energy bills probably more than you ever have. Below are some tips you may find helpful.

  1. Set your ceiling fans to winter mode

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Typically, your ceiling fan will rotate anti-clockwise, making the air it blows out feel cooler and comfortable during the summer. However, you have the option to use the reverse switch to change to a clockwise rotation. Flipping its normal movement allows it to push warmer air from the ceiling to the ground below. By doing so, warm air is distributed adequately throughout the room. Moreover, using the reverse switch can help save you on energy bills during winter.

During the colder months, warm air tends to rise upwards. Density has a role to play in its movement to a higher surface. Therefore, taking advantage of this natural process, ceiling fan manufacturers developed the reverse switch to enhance function at any time of the year. 

  1. Clean out vents and radiators to eliminate dust and debris

During the winter months, many households in the US notice a sudden spike in their energy bills. Apart from the increased demand at that time of the year, research has revealed that specific actions and inactions contribute to excessive energy consumption. Typical examples are dirt-filled vents and radiators. A blockage in any of these places can cause your heating systems to work harder than they ordinarily would.

Subsequently, this translates into more power consumption to keep the rooms in the house warm and comfortable. Apart from that, your indoor air can remain constantly polluted as contaminated warm air flows from dusty vents and radiators. It is vital to make energy efficiency your priority during the winter.

  1. Check for drafts

Unless you run certain checks in the house, it might be challenging to detect drafts. A pretty standard trick households use is the candle technique. This involves lighting a candle and gently passing it around the windows, doors, cracks, etc. When the lit flame begins to flicker or seems unsteady at certain portions you pass along, you might be facing draft problems in your house. This means you might be dealing with air leaks in parts of the home.

Air leaks are known to take a significant toll on energy consumption. When you have undetected leaks at home during the winter, there is tremendous pressure on your heating systems to keep your interiors at comfortably warm temperatures. To resolve air leak situations, you can caulk these gaps. Another option is weatherstrip installation on doors. While at it, you will find it worthwhile to contact crawl space insulation installers to help insulate any crawl space in order to allow your heat systems to work more efficiently over time. 

  1. Replace the furnace filter

The primary function of a filter is to trap dirt and debris. This is why after long periods of use, it becomes mandatory to change filters. Even with the cars you drive, your air filter is replaced or cleaned out at almost every servicing to reduce your risks of breathing in contaminated air. It is also to take pressure off your battery and car engine. The same applies to your home’s furnace filter. A recently replaced one allows uninterrupted warm airflow in the house.

Additionally, just like your car, a replacement improves function, subsequently reducing your winter energy bills in the long run. So, if you have failed to change your furnace filter in a while, you have some time to do so before the winter kicks in at full throttle.

  1. Keep unused rooms blocked

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Whether you live alone or not, it is necessary to consider blocking unused rooms to prevent heat loss. You can do this by shutting the vents in these rooms to conserve heat. You also have the option to line the bottom of the doors with thick blankets. It can be a complete waste of resources when your home loses heat to unused rooms. Moreover, keep in mind that unused rooms are colder and will require more heat to warm up. That means your home’s heating system has to work twice harder to bring these vacant rooms comfortably warm. 

  1. Open up blinds and curtains during the day to soak up heat

Since you’re concerned about saving up on the winter electricity bill, please consider making use of the sun. This power source doesn’t require you to measure or keep an eye on the voltage. By opening curtains during the day, you allow the sun’s rays to flow into your rooms. Keep in mind that warm air rises when it’s cold. Therefore, when it’s nighttime, and the temperature drops further, the heat soaked in during the day becomes useful. Do not forget to close your blinds and curtains at night.

  1. Use LED lights for decoration and illumination

The light-emitting diode or the LED is known to use less power than regular or incandescent light bulbs. According to studies, they use about 75% less power. Moreover, with the festive season coming up shortly, you may want to consider using LED light sources for your Christmas decorations. Admittedly, LED lights and décor cost slightly higher than incandescent bulbs. However, saving your energy bills is an advantage you do not want to lose out of.

Furthermore, LED Christmas light décor is long-lasting and, more importantly, will not overload your wall socket. However, when buying these energy-saving lights, please purchase the right quality and not imitated brands. The latter will perform abysmally and not contribute to saving energy during the winter or any other time.

  1. Leave the oven door open after usage

As debatable as this might sound, energy-savers believe it plays a tremendous role during the cold months. Perhaps, this is plausible because most US households have increased use of their ovens during winter. Indeed, with the baking activities sharply increased at this time of the year, why don’t you make use of the intense heat it generates.

According to households who tried it before, the heat retained in the oven immediately after usage is beneficial. All it takes is to keep the oven door ajar until it completely cools down, by which time it can be closed. It can keep your kitchen warmer for longer. 

  1. Invest in a smart thermostat

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The world is in a digital era, and what can be better than using technology to reduce your energy consumption? A smart thermostat automatically adjusts your heat settings, reducing the chances of you forgetting to do a manual heat regulation. It is Wi-Fi enabled and, with AI assistance, can monitor your regular heat preferences to function better.

After the smart thermostat studies your schedule, you will notice an established heat-regulating routine. The sooner you start, the more time it has to study your heat preferences. Moreover, some states advocate smart thermostat usage. So, if you are unaware of the smart thermostat incentives offered by your local city authority, you may want to do a quick check to enlighten yourself.

Last but not least, keep blankets readily available in your living rooms or places you spend the most time at home. That way, you can reduce the allure to increase the heat, which subsequently affects your energy consumption.

 


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