How to Heat Your Home AND Save Money This Winter

As the winter months approach, homeowners across the world begin to prepare for colder weather. One of the most important things to consider during this time is how to keep your home warm while also saving money on your heating bills. As electricians, we’ve seen firsthand how proper heating can make a difference in a household's comfort level as well as reduce energy costs. Here are some tips and ideas for keeping your home warm and cozy throughout the winter season without breaking the bank.

Change your ceiling fan settings

Everyone knows ceiling fans keep things cool and breezy in summer - but did you know they can help keep you warm in winter too?

When you flick your fan's winter switch and turn it on to low speed, the blades will spin clockwise. This creates a gentle updraft that helps move warm air trapped near the ceiling back out and around the room. Recirculating warm air means you don't have to run your heating as high or as often, and can help you save around 15% on your heating costs over the cold months.

If ceiling fans were on your to-do list last summer but you missed the boat, why not get them installed now?

Insulation and wall coverings

Insulation is key to keeping your home warm in the winter. Make sure your attic, walls, and floors are well-insulated to prevent heat from escaping. If you have an older home, you might even want to consider upgrading your roof insulation to a higher grade, which will also provide the added benefit of deflecting more heat during summer.

Can’t change your insulation situation? Don’t worry. Update your home decor by adding new wall coverings like picture frames, mirrors and bookshelves. Adding an extra layer of thermal mass can raise internal temps by around 1°C.

Seal drafts

Poorly sealed cracks and grapes around windows and doors can account for about 15-25% of heat loss in your home, taking a serious toll on your heating efforts and costing you unnecessarily.

Check your windows and doors for drafts and seal them with weather stripping or caulking to prevent cold air from entering your home, or heading to the dollar store for a simple door snake.

Rearrange the furniture

When it comes to home heating not all spaces are made equal, and the position of your furniture can make all the difference when it comes to keeping warm.

Position furniture out of the direct line of draughts like hallways and open doorways), closer to internal walls and away from windows wherever possible.

Let the sun in during the day and close it up at night

The biggest, cheapest and most sustainable form of heating available to you is the sun. During the day, open up blinds and curtains to let in the light. When the sun hits an object like a window, the light is transformed into ultraviolet radiation and becomes instant heat.

When the light starts to fade in the afternoon, close up blinds and curtains before the evening chill sets in to trap that warmth inside.

Reduce the temp by 1 or 2 degrees

If you’re lucky enough to have an efficient reverse-cycle air conditioner, reduce your winter energy bill by reducing the temp by 1 or two degrees. Cranking up the AC beyond its optimal settings forces it to work harder, using more energy to maintain the temp you’ve set.

The optimal setting for an AC in winter is between 20-22°C so pop on a jumper, check off the rest of this list, and stay warm this coming cool season.