11 Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bills This Winter

Tips to Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient

When winter comes to Mason City, Iowa, you feel it in a few big ways. The sun hangs lower, the weather gets chillier, and your energy bill gets higher. As a homeowner, you probably dread the annual uptick in electricity prices from running your heater 24/7 and from other, sometimes hidden, energy consumption.

We’ve got good news, though. With a few power-saving strategies, you may be able to save some cash for holiday shopping or your upcoming vacation. Let us show you how to lower your energy bill this winter and throughout the years to come!

#1: Swap out old lights for better bulbs

Dark winter days mean less sunlight coming through your windows and more time for your home’s light bulbs to shine. But that draws on more power from the local grid. To cut down on costs, exchange your old light bulbs for new, compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLs. Alternatively, replace them with LED bulbs.

Both of these energy-efficient choices need less power to run and are better for the environment overall.

#2 Check – and change! – your air filters

No matter the age and sophistication of your HVAC system, it won’t do you any good unless your air filters are clean and clear. To be less of a burden on your electricity bill, most HVAC filters should be changed every 2 to 3 months or about once a season. As winter draws closer, do yourself (and your HVAC system) a favor by swapping out old air filters for new ones.

This simple fix means your HVAC system will be more effective and may not need to run as long, so you could see noticeable improvements to your energy bill.

#3 Clear the vents of fuzz and furniture

Just like you should use clean HVAC air filters, you should make sure your HVAC vents are clear of any obstructions, like pet fur, carpet fuzz, or anything else, if you want to save a little money on your energy bill this winter. Do a quick patrol around the house and locate the major vents. Make sure you haven't placed a couch or chair in front of them – otherwise, your HVAC system will chug along to no noticeable benefit for your home's temperature.

#4 Install a programmable thermostat

Having trouble preventing the kids from turning the temperature up in your home? Or do you want to force yourself to turn things down a few degrees to save money? Solve these problems and more with a programmable thermostat.

With average January Mason City temperatures ranging from 7° to 25°F, a programmable thermostat may keep your energy bill down plus prevent you from freezing during the coldest winter nights.

The right programmable thermostat will automatically turn the temperature down on a certain day or each night, depending on your chosen settings. You can even use these smart thermostats to remotely turn the heater down or off entirely while you're away on vacation. It's the ultimate way to conveniently control electricity costs in the home.

#5 Beware of “vampire” electric items

Think your computer or TV doesn’t use electricity just because it’s turned off? Think again. According to Energy.gov, some electronic devices still use a very small, but eventually noticeable, amount of power even when not on, so long as they are connected to an outlet. Those energy-sucking devices are called “vampire devices.”

These “vampire” electric items can collectively put a lot of financial weight on your wallet. Even though you may want to keep the television on all day long playing re-runs of old Minnesota Vikings games, to save money when it matters most this winter, unplug any unused electronics or plug them into a power strip, which protects them from storm surges as an added benefit.

#6 Seal up the doors and windows

Feel a draft through your windows or doors from fall breezes? That draft could become a chilling wind and suck heat out of your house if you let it lie until winter.

One of the biggest ways to save money on your electricity bill this winter starts with inspecting all the doors and windows in your home to locate cracks or holes. If you find any, use a caulking gun or weatherstripping to plug up those leaks in no time. Just remember that caulk and weatherstrips only last for a few years, so you’ll need to repeat this process every so often. Or replace that old door with a durable weather-stripped storm door that’s guaranteed to keep the cold out.

#7 Replace old windows

Some windows are a little too drafty to keep. And in Iowa and Minnesota, new windows can make all the difference when it comes to the cost of your energy bills this winter.

When the time comes to replace your windows, purchase new, energy-efficient windows instead. Modern energy-efficient windows use multiple panes of specially treated glass to keep heat in the home and maximize natural warming from the sun.

Have multiple windows to replace? Prioritize large picture windows or bow and bay windows instead of single-hung windows or other smaller windows. Or prioritize windows that can and are often opened, like casement and awning windows, as these are more likely to have minor leaks and cracks from wear and tear. Look to make sure your new windows are energy-star rated as well if you want the most bang for your buck.

#8 Be mindful of how you use appliances

Your appliances use a lot of water and power. For example, your clothes washer uses both cold and hot water to scrub stains out of your clothes.

So, appliance usage is another place to look for energy savings. If you use your current appliances mindfully, you could save yourself more than a bit of cash. Here are some energy-saving ideas:

• Wait until your dishwasher is completely full before running it
• Same goes for your clothes washer – wait until you have a full load of laundry before running the appliance
• Wash your clothes in cold or warm water instead of using hot water – according to EnergyStar.gov, about 90% of energy consumption for washing machines is used to heat water, so lowering the washing temperature is the most efficient means of saving that power
• Don’t forget to clean the lint trap for your clothes dryer – doing this simple step will make your dryer more efficient, so you won’t have to run it multiple times to dry one load

#9 Get new, energy-efficient appliances

Alternatively, you can purchase and install brand-new, energy-efficient appliances. Be sure to find appliances with the Energy Star label. Energy Star certification indicates that a given appliance is eco-friendly and likely to result in significant savings on your energy bill.

Not sure which appliances to swap out? Prioritize any appliances you run every day, like your dishwasher, refrigerator, or HVAC system.

#10 Find and fix faucet leaks

Leaky faucets have two big problems. One: the incessant drip, drip, drip can get on anyone’s nerves. Two: leaking water is wasteful and bad for your energy bill.

All the water that comes out of your faucet is warmed by your water heater. Don’t let your heater strain for no reason from constantly dripping faucets. Check each faucet in your home, including faucets in the kitchen and bathrooms, and tighten the plumbing leading to them to solve this problem. If you discover more leaks or if your leaky faucets are tough to fix, hire a plumber to tackle the issue for you before winter arrives in earnest.

#11 Turn the water heater temp down

Most residential water heaters have default temperature settings around 140°F. While that temperature can be relaxing for long, hot showers, it’s not ideal when your water heater has to struggle even more during the winter.

To potentially save a bit of money this winter and reduce your water heater’s wear and tear, lower the temperature to 120°F instead. If you plan to leave your house for a few days or weeks, turn the temperature down to its lowest setting to conserve even more power and money.

Whether you use one or all of these strategies, you stand a good chance of seeing a much lower energy bill this winter. Even better, many of these tips can save you money all year long, not just when the temperature falls with the year’s first snow.

If you’re looking into bigger energy-saving measures, like swapping out your old windows with new ones, it pays to rely on the experts. Window World of Mason City has the right window selections for your needs, and our experts can help you install your new windows in no time. Contact us today!