How To Lower Electric Bill In Winter With 9 Proven Ways

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‘Tis the season to be jolly! At least, that’s what people want to say during the winter months. Since the year is winding down and the holidays are coming, you’d want to make the most of the season. However, winter isn’t the only thing that’s going to hit you.

With the snow and the cold weather, you’ll also find yourself facing a new set of bills and costs. Whether it’s because of the longer nights ahead or the busy festivities, you might end up spending more than expected. Need to know how to lower electric bill in winter? here are nine proven ways you can do so!

1. Seal up any leaks in the house.

With the winter season comes the cold and chilling temperatures. Therefore, heat is going to be one of the biggest issues you’ll face. You might be tempted to crank up the thermostat high so that you can stay warm and cozy. However, before you do so, it’s best to check the insulation in your home. Any leaks or cracks in the wall and rooftop can lead to hot air leaving your house. This might trick you into thinking that your heater isn’t working, which makes you crank it up higher, which then leads to a bigger bill.

Save yourself the trouble by having your house inspected for any leaks in the structure. Make sure to have a professional check your place to help you find hidden or tiny cracks. The sooner you deal with them, the quicker you can fix your house’s insulation. This way, you can quickly cut down your heating bill as the winter months fly by.

2. Check for any open spaces or windows.

In addition to leaks in the house, window panes can be another problem. Poorly insulated windows or those with bad weather stripping can cause the cool air to flow in. Not only does this ruin your heating bill, but it can also force you to reinstall new windows. That’s why replacing your windows immediately is how you can lower the electric bill in winter fast. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with the freezing chill of the season greeting you day and night.

Also, make sure to check for any open spaces in your household. Areas like the fireplace and the dog door might not seem so bad at first. However, these open spaces can be just as dangerous as a leak in the house, especially if they aren’t closed properly. Make sure that during the winter months, you have them sealed up well to protect your bills from growing under your nose.

3. Invest in a smart thermostat.

Sometimes, the biggest mistake you can make is changing the temperature yourself. Have you ever turned up the thermostat, only to find that it’s too hot or not hot enough? If you keep changing it frequently, you risk using up more electricity than you need. It’s like turning the lights on and off; keep at it, and you’ll find that you’re wasting more energy than needed.

Here’s how to lower the electric bill in winter while keeping the temperature just right: consider buying a smart thermostat. When connected to Wi-Fi, these gadgets can automatically adjust the temperature to suit your needs. You can even optimize them to be energy-efficient, meaning they’ll find the ideal temperature to keep you warm while cutting down electricity costs. In addition, you can set your thermostat just a couple of degrees below the ideal tempt, so that you still stay warm while reducing your bills.

4. Keep the lights off.

If you’ve ever seen Home Alone, you might recall the scene where the main character turns on all the lights in his house to keep burglars away. While it might be a great defensive move, it’s going to cost a lot of money. Even if you don’t have a large space, keeping the lights on can grow your bill faster than you expect.

A good rule of thumb is to always turn off the lights whenever you leave a room. You can keep them on if you plan to come back, like going from your bedroom to the bathroom. However, in general, always make sure the lights are out when you leave or sleep. The same goes for your gadgets; make sure you turn them off after use. This way, you can learn how to lower the electric bill in winter without wasting power.

5. Do laundry only for full loads.

During the winter months, water won’t flow as easily as it usually does. Because the pipes will need insulation or heating, the cost of using water usually rises during the latter parts of the year. That means that your laundry will likely cost more money to run, both from the power and washing needed.

To save yourself the headache, keep your laundry days strict to full loads only. Even if it means sacrificing a nice outfit the day, you’ll save money better this way. Whether you have your own washing machine or go to a laundromat, a full load is a worthwhile cost compared to washing a few pieces of underwear and shirts.

6. Cook batches of your own meals.

On a regular day, you might have three or more types of meals. You might start with a nice, refreshing batch of bacon and eggs in the morning, then end with a delicious salad. However, in the winter months, you’ll probably stick to something warm like soup or pasta.

To lower the electric bill in winter, try making several batches of the same meal. For example, you can make a big casserole or a large portion of stew in one sitting. This way, you’ll spend less money and still keep yourself fed throughout the day.

7. Plan your working space.

With the rise of work-from-home jobs, lots of people have learned to adjust to staying at home during their work hours. You and several others may have already shifted to having online meetings and tracking your time via apps like Hubstaff. That said, you might find it tough to enjoy working at home during the winter season.

Before the cold hits hard, take some time this weekend to explore your house and see what places feel the most comfortable for your work. If you live in a house, there might be a room where it feels warmer than the rest. If you’re in a single room or apartment, you might be able to find a spot somewhere to stay cozy. For maximum warmth, consider buying a rug to help you through the cool air of the season.

8. Recycle unused items as gifts.

For many people, the best thing about winter is the string of holidays that come by. Occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day all happen within a few weeks of each other. Of course, that also might mean getting and giving several gifts at a time. However, you might wince at the thought because you want to save your cash.

One way you can stay budget friendly and still have a gift is to look around your house for unused items. There might be some things you’re willing to give away, provided that they’re still in good condition. Options like good shirts, old books, and yoga mats can be a nice treat for your friends and family.

You could also try and actually make a gift of your own. For example, you can surprise your loved ones with origami flowers or build a homemade gift card with a special message for them. This way, you can avoid using too much money and still share a meaningful gift with those closest to you.

9. Avoid going outside often.

You might get antsy being at home during winter. You might even believe that you’ll get cabin fever being stuck indoors. While there’s no reason to be a homebody all the time, you shouldn’t get so adventurous and go out every chance you get. Gas is rising from both the season and from inflation. Not to mention, you might find it harder to reach your favorite spots in the city because of the snowy terrain.

Here’s how you can learn how to lower the electric bill in winter: try and time when and where you plan to go out. Minimize the number of occasions you have to step out, especially if some are just impromptu meet-ups. If you want to relax at home, you can always check out a nice movie or read a new book. There are a lot of ways you can still have fun and avoid going outdoors. Plus, if you ever get hungry, stocking up on groceries is going to be a lot safer and easier than heading to the nearest drive-thru.

Article Sources

Constellation®. Accessed on October 31, 2022. 15 Ways to Cut Down on Your Home Electric Bill in Winter. Constellation.com.
Open-Money. Accessed on October 31, 2022. Eight ways to save money this winter.
Stack, K. Accessed on October 31, 2022. 20 Excellent Ways to Spend Less Money During the Winter. Lifehack.
Tara Energy. Accessed on October 31, 2022. 14 Tips for Lowering Your Winter Energy Bill.