How to save on your energy bill — and keep your WA home warm this winter
Your home may be starting to cool down as winter weather spreads across Washington state, but how can you stay warm without an expensive heating bill this season?
Here are a few ways you can save money on your heating bill this winter.
Puget Sound Energy suggests increasing home efficiency and lower heating bills:
▪ Insulate and seal cracks in your home to lower your heating bill by about 8% year-round.
▪ Turn your thermostat down seven to 10 degrees while you are asleep or outside your home to save 10% on your heating bill.
▪ Take advantage of natural sunlight when it is out, as sunlight can cut down on lights you turn on and can even warm your home.
▪ Use cold water instead of hot water to wash clothes and dishes, as heating water counts as about 12% of your monthly heating bill.
▪ If you have a furnace, change its filters regularly to increase efficiency and lower your bill by about 7%.
Redfin also suggests:
▪ Keep heating vents clear and close vents in rooms you do not want to heat in order to spread heat to other rooms that may need it. Move furniture that covers heating vents to heat your home more efficiently.
▪ If you have a wood-burning fireplace, take advantage of it as an affordable way to heat your home.
▪ Make sure all windows and doors are properly sealed.
▪ Instead of turning up the thermostat, wear warmer clothing.
▪ Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan. If your fan runs clockwise at a low speed, the warm air near the ceiling will be pushed down along walls, helping a room feel warmer.
The U.S. Department of Energy also has a few tips to save on your energy bill:
▪ Keep your furnace, baseboard heaters, radiators and warm-air registers clean.
▪ Turn off bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans within 20 minutes after showering or cooking, and consider replacing exhaust fans with more efficient models.
▪ During winter, keep your curtains on the south side of your home open during the day and closed at night.
The City of Seattle also encourages homeowners to install energy-efficient windows and heat pumps to lower their home heating bills, while still maintaining good heat in their homes.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 11:41 AM with the headline "How to save on your energy bill — and keep your WA home warm this winter."
