7 Home Energy Saving Tips for Winter

Winter may be synonymous with fuzzy blankets and warm cocoa, but it also means higher utility bills. Residents try their best to stay comfortable despite the dropping temperature, which means using heating and cooling systems longer—especially with shorter days and longer nights. Not to mention, hosting events for the holidays drives your energy use and power bills like crazy.

If this has always been a problem for you, don’t worry! We’ll share our top winter energy-saving tips in this article to help lower your energy consumption.

Let’s get started!

1. Apply Weatherstripping to Your Doors and Windows

Feeling cold air currents coming in from your doors and windows means you’re losing heat in your home. Consequently, you pay more for electricity bills to keep your home warm. 

Luckily, you can just apply weatherstripping around your doors and windows to seal out air leaks, avoid heat loss, and save money—a simple and effective strategy that can save you 11% on total heating and cooling costs.

Additionally, you can purchase door sweeps to seal the gap between your door frame and the bottom of your door. Draft stoppers also protect your home by preventing heat loss.

2. Insulate Your Windows

If you live in an older home, drafty windows are often to blame for skyrocketing heating and cooling bills. That’s exactly why insulating your windows should be at the top of your list of energy-saving tips for winter. 

The older your windows are, the more weathered and deteriorated they are—meaning you lose around 25% to 30% of your residential energy consumption. This, coupled with a settling home, could let in more air leaks and result in massive heat loss.

Image source: Canva

Keep your energy costs low during winter by sealing your window frame with clear plastic cling wrap, rope caulk, or window film. You can find these for a cheap price at any home improvement store. 

Read more: 6 Advantages Of Vinyl Windows

3. Schedule Regular Checkups for Your Heating Systems

Your heating system breaking down during winter may not be as sudden as you think. It could be overworked or have been neglected for a while. If this happens, expect rising energy bills and dropping temperatures inside your home.

One way to prevent this is to schedule yearly checkups for your heating systems before winter rolls in. These checkups identify issues early, saving you the hassle of having to fix them in the middle of winter. In addition, it can help you increase your heating unit’s lifespan. 

4. Switch to a Smart Thermostat

We have to include getting a smart thermostat in our winter energy-saving tips, as it reduces energy consumption while keeping your home nice and cozy. This Wi-Fi-enabled device lets you tune the thermostat settings in your home according to your needs through your phone.

You can even set your heating system to automatically adjust temperatures when you’re asleep or away. All in all, a programmable thermostat lets you optimize your home’s energy efficiency and cut your energy bills without compromising comfort—a must-have device for winter!

5. Lower Your Thermostat Levels

While this sounds counterintuitive, it’s one of the most convenient winter energy-saving tips. There’s no need to buy or install anything—simply adjust the levels to the lowest number that you are comfortable with and that should do the trick! 

Adjusting your thermostat to the lowest level you’re comfortable with can greatly reduce your energy costs. It’s because the less difference there is between the temperature inside your home and the climate outside, the more energy you conserve.

Read more: How to Weatherproof Your Front Door

6. Reset Your Water Heater

Your water heater consumes just as much energy as your heating and cooling units, if not more. Older models especially contribute to higher energy costs. They may take longer to heat water, resulting in more energy consumption.

A quick energy-saving tip for winter is keeping the water heater’s temperature to 120°F. Setting it a few degrees lower can significantly reduce your utility bills. To save even more, place a hot water heater blanket around your tank for extra insulation so you get hot water for longer. 

7. Replace Your Doors and Windows

While these quick-fire energy-saving tips for winter may seem easy, here’s an even better solution: replacing your doors and windows with energy-efficient ones. 

With proper installation, your replacement entry doors can improve insulation and slash your energy bills almost instantaneously. Those with higher R-values than others provide better insulation and make for great upgrades. 

Image source: Shutterstock

As mentioned above, inefficient windows and drafty doors allow more cold air to seep into your home. This puts more pressure on your heating and cooling systems to stabilize the inside temperature, resulting in higher energy consumption and electricity costs. More than that, you’ll suffer discomfort throughout winter due to unwanted drafts.

So, consider replacing your entryway door and windows to ensure you save money and energy this winter.

Keep The Cold Out and Stay Warm with Doors from Burano

Our top winter energy-saving tips can help you temporarily fix your home’s problems. However, if you’re looking to conserve energy and slash your utility bills for the long haul, replacing your old doors is still the best solution. So, if you’re ready to make that upgrade, Burano Doors is here to help!

As one of Canada’s leading door companies, we can guarantee that all doors in our collection are durable, stylish, and energy-efficient. We manufacture all our products in our own factory, producing unmatched results at factory-direct prices.

Consider our energy-saving tips for winter and get the perfect replacement door for your home! Contact us today to learn more about our customization options or to get a free quote!