Quick Tips to Reduce Utility Bills During Cold Weather

So you’ve filled in the gaps and cracks around the home to block the winter drafts, and you’ve improved the crawlspace and attic insulation as best you can. But the utility bills are still putting you in a bind.

Well, you’ve improved your home and made it more energy-efficient, but that’s just one piece of the puzzle. You may still have to improve your behavior before you see the biggest slashes to your household budget.

So, here are some quick tips to help with that. 

Easy Tips to Lower Your Utility Bills

1. Lower your thermostat. Set your heating and cooling system’s thermostat down a few degrees and put on a few more layers of clothes.

Curling up in a quilt during movie night feels cozy, plus you won’t feel so cold, which means you won’t need as much hot air in the house. The same is true just from layering your clothes. 

Best of all? You’d be amazed at how much you can drive your energy bills down by doing these simple things.

2. Lower the water heater thermostat. It’s easy to forget that your home has more than one type of thermostat. But taking that rare trip to the closet with the water heater can pay off — on your utility bills. So, go lower your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees.

The water heater is the No. 3 household energy user, so making this small adjustment can make a big difference.

3. Limit shower time. Let’s face it, some people shower longer than others, and all that water adds up in dollars and cents. A hot shower is great on a cold morning, but the longer it lasts, the higher the utility bills will be.

So, put the family on a time limit for showers, and adjust that time limit based on the result when you see the next utility bill. 

These are some of the easiest ways to rein in your utility bills. How do you cut back during cold weather? Tell us in the comments!

It’s Heat Your Home Week, sponsored by American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning! Want to make sure your home is nice and toasty from the first cold snap? Click for all the money-saving advice you need to stay warm and comfortable.