The cold days of winter will be here before you know it, and if you are not careful, that cold weather could come with some serious electricity bills. It is common for electric bills to skyrocket in the winter months, as homeowners spend more time indoors and turn on the heat to stay warm.
You do not have to resign yourself to higher energy bills this winter. If you act now and make a few changes, you can reduce your winter electricity costs without sacrificing the comfort of your home and family. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
If you have not already done so, replacing your existing thermostat with a new programmable model could sharply reduce your electricity bills this winter. With this one simple upgrade, you can enhance the comfort of your home while you are in, and lower the temperature when you are out.
Modern programmable thermostats can even be used from your smartphone, so you can turn the heat up when you leave work and walk into a warm home when you get there. You can also turn your thermostat down when you work overtime, so you will not be wasting money when you are not at home.
Use Space Heaters for Zone Heating
If there are rooms in your home you rarely use, closing them off and turning off the heat could save you a lot of money. When you do need to use those rooms, you can use highly efficient space heaters to provide the warmth and comfort your family needs.
Just be sure the space heaters you choose are energy efficient, and that they meet all modern safety requirements. The space heaters should be designed to automatically shut themselves off if they tip over, reducing the risk of fire while enhancing comfort for your family.
Slay Those Energy Vampires
So-called energy vampires can really take a toll on your winter electricity costs, so take a few minutes to look for them and slay them. If you have a charger plugged in but your phone is still in your pocket, take a minute to unplug that charger until it is needed. If the TV in the rarely used spare room is still powered on, take the time to turn it off and unplug it.
You can make slaying those energy vampires easier by investing in a smart power strip, a device that automatically senses energy usage and shuts down its outlets as needed. No matter how you do it, reducing that vampire electricity usage can reduce your winter bills without sacrificing your comfort.
The winter season can be a tough one, with lots of holiday bills and other expenses. Saving money on your energy costs can give you more cash for other essentials, and the tips listed above can help you get started.