With electricity prices on the rise, heating your home can be difficult for many to afford. This price spike has many looking for alternative ways to save on energy costs during the winter. However, the solution may be easier than you think. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should keep your heat on low all day or turn it off when you leave, read on.
The idea that your heater has to work harder to heat a cold house than it does to keep it warm is a common misconception. Your home will heat up at the same rate no matter how cold it is inside. Considering typical household expenses 4400 dollars (opens in new tab) a year on utility bills, it doesn’t make sense to spend energy if you’re not at home. If you plan to be away from home for a long time, turn off the heater so you don’t have to pay for heat all day.
If leaving the heat on all day isn’t an option, the next best thing is to keep your thermostat setting low to keep your bills down. When at home, it is recommended that you lower the thermostat to 68°F for 8 hours per day. You’ll be able to maximize your savings by making sure your home is properly insulated so it loses less heat.
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Buying a smart thermostat is also a great solution to keep your home at the right temperature. With a smart thermostat, you’ll be able to control your home’s temperature from your phone, allowing you to schedule different temperatures at different times of the day or turn the heat off/on whenever you want.
Other ways to save energy costs
- Make sure your home is well insulated so it loses less heat. If you don’t already have it, insulation is a good investment because it lowers your future bills.
- Switch to LED bulbs — they use 75% less energy (opens in new tab) than incandescent/halogen lamps
- Consider whether solar panels could be an option for your property
- Place your thermostat where it will give you the most accurate temperature – avoid windy windows or direct sunlight
- Wash your clothes in cold water, which can cut your energy use in half when doing laundry
- Bundle up — wear warm clothes and use blankets to keep the heat down
Bottom line
In general, turning off the heater during the day when you are not at home is the best way to save on heating costs. If you’re out all day at work, turn off the heat before you get home. If you work from home and can’t turn off the heat completely, try keeping your thermostat low during the day.
Buying a smart thermostat lets you control your home’s heat from your phone, helping you save money on utility bills during colder periods.
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