With winter right around the corner, many homeowners are bundling up their houses and prepping for plummeting temperatures. The temptation to crank up the heater to stay toasty is usually correlated with higher utility bills, too – unless you know how to save a bit of energy here and there, that is.

Want to keep your home nice and warm without giving yourself a shock the next time you check your bank account? You’ve come to the right place. Here are some smart solutions for how to reduce the electric bill during winter.

How to save energy in winter – 8 tips and tricks

Saving energy in winter doesn't mean never turning up the thermostat or sticking to thick blankets. It's usually a matter of using your heating tools wisely or upgrading them with more energy-efficient alternatives in some cases. Let's take a closer look.

1. Clean your HVAC system’s filters

As things get chilly outside, your home’s HVAC system will become even more critical. So it’s only logical to make sure it’s functioning properly, especially before the coldest days of the year arrive.

Aside from ordering an inspection, you can check your HVAC filter yourself. If it’s clogged, clean it – doing so will enhance the efficiency of the system and facilitate faster heating inside the house.

2. Set up a smart thermostat to save energy in winter

Smart thermostats aren’t just handy. They’re stellar for saving energy when getting ready for winter.

That’s because they can be set to automatically drop the temperature in your home when you’re not there, like when you visit family for the holidays. Then, they’ll turn the heat back up when you’re set to return.

Naturally, you’ll want to set your thermostat to about 68 degrees in the winter. In a few days, your body will acclimate to the cooler feel indoors, and you’ll save lots of energy and money over the winter months by staying away from 70-and-above temperatures.

3. Switch your ceiling fans to spin clockwise

Your ceiling fans are lifesavers in summer, but they’re key to one of the best winter energy-saving tips, as well.

Set them up to spin clockwise, and they’ll push warm air – which tends to rise once it’s heated – back down toward the floor. When your home feels warmer, you’ll be less tempted to keep heating your house, and less warm air will escape through the roof or attic, as well. Plus, having your ceiling fans going in winter is a nice way to keep your home feeling fresh; it’s easy for the air to get a little stale when your windows are kept closed.

4. Find air drafts or leaks

Nothing ruins your home’s energy efficiency or drives up utility bill costs faster than a draft (or three). If one room feels cooler than the others, check the windows and doors. One of them might have a draft, which could crop up from a warped frame, a crack in the glass, or something else.

When you locate that draft, seal it up with caulk, tape, or even plastic wrap. Caulk is the best anti-draft solution available, and it lasts the longest. Fortunately, you can find caulking guns and their ammo at your local home improvement store.

5. Install energy-efficient windows to help reduce electric bill

Some drafts can’t be fixed with a little caulk or tape. If the leak is too large, or if your window is an older single-pane model, seriously consider replacing it with a modern energy-efficient window. With two or three panes of glass, plus argon or krypton gas for even more insulation, these windows are far superior in terms of energy saving and durability.

Energy-efficient windows keep your home much more comfortable no matter the season since they stop heat from transferring in either direction, in or out. In the winter, that means warmer rooms; in the summer, it means the heat stays outside where it belongs.

You can easily find an energy-efficient window of the right size and style to fit your home’s aesthetic or to replace a specific window model. Once you’ve picked out the right window, you can count on licensed contractors to install it quickly.

6. Lower your water heater’s temperature

Winter makes it easy to accidentally turn up the temperature of your water heater. In our desperation to chase away the cold, many of us find comfort in really hot water, which takes a lot of energy.

It’s better for your skin and your electricity usage to set your water heater to 120 degrees. That’s plenty warm for showering and cleaning without being so hot you might scald your skin. Every water heater has different ways to do this, though, so check your model’s instruction manual to ensure you do it right!

7. Choose LED lights for winter savings

As the days get darker, many of us keep the lights on for longer. That’s why our next winter energy efficiency tip is to use LEDs instead of incandescent lights.

LED lights are much better choices for the environment and your wallet. As an easy way to reduce your electric bill in winter, LED lights save households about $225 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy – and that’s just from replacing normal room bulbs with LED ones.

To go even further, think about choosing LED holiday lights for your decorations. Not only will they last longer, but they’ll use less electricity, even if you keep them on all night.

8. Strategically open and close your curtains

If you’re like many homeowners, you probably close your curtains at night for privacy. But did you know that keeping them closed can reduce heat loss in a warm room by about 10%? If the sun has already set and temperatures are lowering, close your curtains early to minimize heat loss through the windows.

On the flip side, don’t forget to open them up come morning. Letting the sun’s bountiful rays shine through can take some of the load off your HVAC system and heat your home quickly in the early hours of the day.

Find a partner to elevate your home’s energy efficiency

Some of these energy-saving tactics can be done by yourself in a handful of minutes. Others—like replacing drafty windows with new energy-efficient ones—necessitate a trusted partner like Window World. With a reputation built on quality and expertise, Window World offers a wide range of energy-efficient replacement windows designed to keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, all while helping to reduce your energy bills. Featuring advanced low-E glass technology, superior insulation, and airtight seals, Window World windows are engineered to minimize heat loss and eliminate drafts. Plus, with professional installation and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Window World ensures a seamless process from start to finish, making them the perfect partner in your journey toward a more comfortable, energy-efficient home.

In fact, we’re the best people to contact if you need new windows, a new entry door, or other eco-friendly home upgrades. From installation to advice, we’re here to help you save money this winter and beyond. Request a quote today, or contact us to learn more!