Before the frigid temperatures send your power bill soaring, a few simple fixes can keep costs under control. Here are 15 practical tips to save on your power bill this winter.
Winter may seem a long time off, considering the mild weather much of the country is enjoying at the moment. But before long, the frigid temperatures will be sending your power bill soaring. So BILLSHARK wants to share some ways to save on your power bill and help you keep costs under control — part of learning how to save money on bills across the board.
1 Keep Cold Air Out
1. First, check for drafts. Light a stick of incense and slowly move it around windows and doors. If the smoke begins to blow sideways, you’ve found a leak. If so, caulk around windows and weather-strip doors now, before it gets too cold. And consider applying window insulation film. A typical kit that will treat four windows costs $5-$6 and takes less than 20 minutes to install.
2. If you have an attached garage, keep the door between the garage and the house closed. Install a door sweep at the bottom of the door to keep as much cold air as possible from entering your home.
3. Close fireplace flues/damper when not in use. If you have glass doors on your fireplace, keep them closed when not in use.
2 Heat Smartly Indoors
4. Open curtains or drapes on south-facing windows and doors during sunny days to allow solar heating to warm the house. Close them at night or on cloudy days.
5. Close off rooms you’re not using. They’ll get cold but not freezing, and there’s no need to pay for heating rooms you don’t need.
6. Use a programmable or Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat if you have one. If not, you’ll have to remember to adjust it manually. The setting should be around 68 degrees during the day, approximately eight degrees lower at night.
7. Use humidifiers to add humidity to the home, because humid air retains heat better than dry air.
8. Flip the switch to reverse any ceiling fans to clockwise. This helps force warm air down from the ceiling (remember, hot air rises). Vent fans used to remove odors and bathroom humidity also remove heat from your home. Keep their use to a minimum.
3 Prevent Appliance Energy Waste
9. Be on the lookout for “phantom load.” This is the electricity your appliances continue to consume even when they’re off. Even electronics in “standby” mode account for as much as 10 percent of your energy bill. Rather than remembering to turn off everything not in use, plug them all into power strips or smart plugs that you can cut off with a single switch.
10. Speaking of appliances, make the best use of the electricity needed to power them. Always run a full load of clothes in your washer and a full load of dishes in your dishwasher. Cold-water washing not only saves the energy it takes to heat the water, but it’s also easier on cloths. Be sure to clean your dryer’s lint trap before every use. This cuts down on drying time, and—therefore—energy use. Also try wool dryer balls, which not only save money on fabric softener sheets, but help clothes dry faster. And skip the heat cycle on your dishwasher. Instead, open the door and let dishes air-dry.
11. When using your oven, resist the urge to peek inside. Every time you open the door, the internal temperature drops as much as 25 degrees, requiring more energy to bring it back to cooking temperature. On the other hand, after you’ve finished baking/roasting, turn off the oven and open the door to let the oven’s residual heat into the house. Whenever possible, however, turn to your stovetop, microwave, or toaster oven for small cooking jobs. All use far less electricity than the oven.
12. Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees, which is more than hot enough for home use. Cover it with a water-heater blanket to keep it insulated from cold air that can make it work harder to heat the water. In addition, shorter, lukewarm showers will also lower the cost of heating water, as well as keep your skin from drying out as much.
13. Replace furnace/heat pump filters once a month. A dirty filter forces your HVAC system to work harder to heat the house. For the same reason, vacuum registers, vents, and refrigerator coils regularly.
4 Other Sneaky Savings
14. Ask your power company about any rebates for various energy-saving measures. Many energy companies will offer a free or low-cost energy audit.
15. If you haven’t already done so, switch to LED lights. It will save up to 80 percent on your lighting costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
We hope this tips help you save on power bill. And of course you know that BILLSHARK can save you money on your monthly bills. We have a 90 percent success rate. Our largest savings for a single customer amounted to $9,500! So contact us today to see how much we can save for you.
Share:
Billshark · Bill Negotiation Experts Helping consumers and small businesses stop overpaying on recurring bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find drafts that raise my power bill?
Light a stick of incense and slowly move it around windows and doors. If the smoke begins to blow sideways, you have found a leak. Caulk around windows and weather-strip doors before it gets too cold, and consider applying window insulation film. A typical kit treats four windows for about $5-$6 and takes less than 20 minutes to install.
What thermostat setting saves the most energy in winter?
Use a programmable or Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat if you have one; otherwise adjust it manually. Set it to around 68 degrees during the day and approximately eight degrees lower at night. Opening curtains on south-facing windows during sunny days adds free solar heat, while closing off unused rooms avoids paying to heat space you do not need.
What is phantom load and how do I stop it?
Phantom load is the electricity your appliances keep consuming even when they are off. Electronics in standby mode can account for as much as 10 percent of your energy bill. Rather than unplugging everything individually, plug your devices into power strips or smart plugs that you can cut off with a single switch.
How should I set my water heater to lower costs?
Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees, which is more than hot enough for home use. Cover it with a water-heater blanket to insulate it from cold air that makes it work harder. Shorter, lukewarm showers also lower the cost of heating water and keep your skin from drying out as much.
Do LED lights really save money on my power bill?
Yes. If you have not already done so, switch to LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it will save up to 80 percent on your lighting costs. You can also ask your power company about rebates for energy-saving measures, since many energy companies offer a free or low-cost energy audit.
15 Tips to Save on Your Power Bill is a Billshark page. It can help you with your bills and your choices, and it can show you how to save.
Lower your power bill with 15 winter tips: seal drafts, set the thermostat to 68, cut phantom load, lower the water heater, switch to LED.
Use this page to learn about Billshark. Then go to the part of the site that fits what you need. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.
We share this page to help you make sense of your monthly bills, your choices, and what to do next. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
This page links you to more help from Billshark. Use it when you want more detail or a clear next step. You can save a lot over time.
Got a question about a bill you pay each month? This page can help you find the best answer. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up.
Read each part of this page at your own pace. If you need more help, go on to a guide on your topic. It is free to read. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
We put facts and tips in one place. This makes it easy to learn about the bills you pay at home. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.
This page can help with real questions. You can learn about your plan, your account, and what you pay each month. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.
Use the menu and the links to go from a big question to the facts that fit your own needs. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
We keep things short and clear so you can choose well. You can then read more if you want to. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.
The links on this page help you weigh your choices. They also help you see what you pay and what to do next. You can save a lot over time.
Our goal is to help you spot the bills you pay each month. We also share smart ways to keep them low. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.
Come back to this page when you have a new question. It will still be here to help with bills and savings. You are in the right place. It is free to read.
We link the small choices you make each day to the big picture. That means your budget and what you spend at home. We make it easy for you.
Each part of this page helps you see what you need. It may be help with a plan, your account, or a good read. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up.
Use what you learn here to plan your questions. Look at your choices, then take the next step when you are ready. It is free to read. Keep this page handy.
Our pages link to each other. That way, you can find more help and still keep track of what you came for. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.
This page makes it easy to find the key facts first. Then you can pick a plan or make a change with less stress. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.
Good facts help you see why a bill went up. They also show you what to check before you call or reply. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
This page puts the key facts in one place. It can help you talk with a company about your bills and how to save. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.
Our other pages explain the words you see on a bill. They also help you weigh the pros and cons of each plan. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.
Our tips focus on real choices you can make. Start with the basics, then read a more detailed guide if you need one. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.
This page is one of many that we share. Together they cover home costs, the firms you pay, and how to get help. You are in the right place. It is free to read.
Take your time and read this page first. It helps you see your choices and find out what to read next. We make it easy for you. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.
We set this page up so you can compare and keep reading. You will not need to hunt for what you want. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.
Monthly bills come with rules, terms, and fine print. This page helps you find the parts that count for you. It is free to read. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
Our pages give you a clear view of what you pay each month. You can then pick the plan or guide you want. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.
Some of our guides cover the basics. Others go into detail on one company or one type of bill. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.
It pays to read first and act later. This page links you to the next guide if you want to learn more. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
We share guides that help you make sense of your bills. They show your choices and the best next step. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.
Want more detail on a bill, a plan, or your account? Check this page against the links we share here. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.
We group our pages by topic to keep things simple. This helps you stay on track as you read about your costs. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.
A bit of background goes a long way. It helps you spot what counts before you check a bill, change a plan, or call us. You are in the right place. It is free to read.
This page is part of our help library. It gives you clear facts and links so you can keep on reading. We make it easy for you. We are here to help.
Your needs can change, so come back any time. Our other pages can help you look into a new cost or plan. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.
We laid out this page to help you get the facts and compare them. You can then choose your next step with ease. It is free to read. Keep this page handy.
Before the frigid temperatures send your power bill soaring, a few simple fixes can keep costs under control.
Winter may seem a long time off, considering the mild weather much of the country is enjoying at the moment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
We hope this tips help you save on power bill.
Light a stick of incense and slowly move it around windows and doors.
Use a programmable or Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat if you have one; otherwise adjust it manually.
Phantom load is the electricity your appliances keep consuming even when they are off.
