With rising energy prices, heating your home is proving difficult for many. This price spike is leading many to look for alternative ways to save on energy bills during the winter. However, the solution may be easier than you think. If you’ve ever wondered whether or not you should leave your heat on low all day or turn it off when you’re gone, read on.
The idea that your heater has to work harder to heat a cold house than it does to keep a warm house is a common misconception. Your house will heat up at the same rate, regardless of how cold it is inside. Taking into account typical household expenses $4,400 (opens in a new tab) a year in utility bills, there’s no point in wasting energy if you’re not home. If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, turn off the heat so you don’t pay for heat all day.
If turning your heat off all day isn’t an option, then the best thing to do is keep your thermostat low to lower your bills. When you are at home, it is recommended that you lower your thermostat to 68°F for 8 hours a day. You can maximize your savings by making sure your home is properly insulated so you lose less heat.
subscribe to Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better-informed investor.
Save up to 74%
Sign up for Kiplinger’s free e-newsletters
Benefit and prosper with the best expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more, delivered directly to your email.
Benefit and prosper with the best expert advice, directly to your email.
Buying a smart thermostat is also a great solution to keep your home at the right temperature. With a smart thermostat, you’ll be able to control the temperature of your home from your phone, allowing you to schedule different temperatures for different times of the day or turn the heating on/off whenever you want.
Other ways to save on energy costs
- Make sure your home is well insulated so you lose less heat. If you don’t already have it, insulation is a good investment as it lowers your future bills.
- Switch to LED bulbs: they use 75% less energy (opens in a new tab) than incandescent/halogen bulbs
- Consider if solar panels could be an option for your property
- Place your thermostat where it gives you the most accurate temperature: avoid drafty windows or direct sunlight
- Wash your clothes in cold water; this can cut your energy consumption in half when doing laundry.
- Bundle up – wear warm clothing and use blankets to avoid turning up the heat
Bottom line
In general, turning your heat off during the day when you’re not home is the best way to save on heating costs. If you’re at work all day, turn off the heat until you get home. If you work from home and can’t turn your heat off completely, try keeping your thermostat on a low setting during the day.
Purchasing a smart thermostat gives you the option to control your home’s heat from your phone, helping you save money on utility bills during cold spells.