Tips to help with the Winter Energy Crunch

Winter is a beautiful season, but it often brings higher energy demands as the chilly weather sets in. As we crank up the heat to stay cozy, our energy bills can skyrocket, impacting our wallets and the environment. With increased energy consumption, it's essential to take proactive steps to reduce our usage while minimizing our carbon footprint. In this post, we'll share some practical tips on how to save energy during the winter months.

Energy-Saving Tips for Colder Months

There are several straightforward strategies you can implement to save energy this winter without sacrificing comfort. Consider these useful tips:

• Harness Natural Heat: Take advantage of sunlight to warm your home naturally and open curtains during sunny days to let warmth in.

• Use Thermal Curtains: By installing thermal curtains, you can significantly reduce heat loss through windows when you close the thick, insulated curtains at night to retain heat. These specially designed curtains trap air inside, providing an additional layer of insulation. It's a simple yet effective way to help keep your space warm! Top Amazon Products

• Adjust the Thermostat: Lowering your thermostat by just a few degrees can lead to substantial savings on your energy bill. Aim for a comfortable setting of around 18°C and 20°C / 64°F to 68°F while you're home, and reduce it further when you're away or sleeping. Investing in a smart thermostat can even automate these changes for you! Top Amazon Products

• Seal Windows and Doors: Check for drafts around your windows and doors, which can let cold air seep in and warm air escape. Use weather stripping or caulk to seal leaks, ensuring that your home stays toasty without using extra energy. Top Amazon Products

• Switch to Energy-Efficient Appliances: If you're in the market for new appliances, consider choosing energy-efficient models that not only save you money on your bills but also have a smaller environmental impact. Look for the ENERGY STAR label or equivalent to help guide your selections.

• Insulate your attic: prevent heat from escaping from your roof by installing insulation in your attic.

• Insulate gaps in your walls: quick wins include spraying foam insulation where you have electrical outlets and utility entry points if there are gaps. Top Amazon Products

• Use LED light bulbs: check all of your bulbs and replace them with energy LED efficient ones. You could even buy SMART lights that you can turn on via voice. Top Amazon Products

• Turn off non-essential appliances: use smart plugs or turn appliances off at the power point, as electronic devices in standby can use up still use electricity. Top Amazon Products

Consider incorporating these 10 low cost energy-saving products

1. Heated products: Consider items like heated socks, gloves, thermals and sweaters for personal warmth without relying solely on central heating.

2. Draft stoppers: Apply door sweeps and draft stoppers to prevent cold air from entering through gaps around windows and doors. Top Amazon Products

3. Electric blankets: Stay warm in bed without heating the whole room. Top Amazon Products

4. Heated clothes airers: Dry clothes efficiently without using a tumble dryer. Top Amazon Products

5. Smart plugs: Control and monitor energy usage of various appliances. Top Amazon Products

6. Air fryers: Cook meals using less energy compared to traditional ovens. Top Amazon Products

7. Thermal curtains: Use insulated curtains to retain heat at night and open them during sunny days to let warmth in. Top Amazon Products

8. Energy-efficient portable heaters: Use these for heating individual rooms instead of warming the entire house. Top Amazon Products

9. LED light bulbs: Replace old bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs to reduce electricity consumption. Top Amazon Products

10. Weatherproofing and sealing: identify areas where you can apply easy to install insulation and draught proofing in your home. See DIY tips below. Top Amazon Products

DIY Weatherproofing Projects

Ready to roll up your sleeves? Implement these simple fixes to improve your home's energy efficiency.

• Add Door Sweeps: Installing door sweeps on exterior doors can help block drafts from coming in underneath. This is a small change that can lead to big savings!

• Use Draft Stoppers: Place draft stoppers at the base of windows and doors to create a barrier against the cold air. You can even make your own using fabric and rice for a personalized touch.

• Seal Gaps: Apply caulk around windows and doors to seal small gaps

• Check piping: Add insulation to your water heater and pipes.

Quick Next Steps for Winter Energy Savings

1. Do a Quick Home Check

   • Walk through your home

   • Look for cold drafts

   • Identify areas losing heat

2. Easy Fixes You Can Do Today

   • Add draft stoppers to doors

   • Close curtains at night

   • Lower thermostat by 1-2 degrees

   • Unplug unused electronics

3. Low-Cost Improvements

   • Buy weatherstripping

   • Install LED light bulbs

   • Use smart power strips

   • Add thermal curtains

4. Free Actions

   • Wear warmer clothing inside

   • Turn heating off in rooms you are not using

   • Open curtains during sunny days

   • Use blankets instead of turning up heat

5. Plan Ahead

   1. Schedule heating system check

   2. Research energy-efficient appliances

   3. Look into home insulation options

   4. Check for utility company rebates

## Pro Tip: Start small. You don't need to do everything at once. Pick 2-3 actions you can do easily and build from there.

By implementing these energy-saving strategies and products, you can significantly reduce your energy bills and minimize your environmental impact while staying comfortable during the winter months. Remember to monitor your energy usage with an energy monitor to identify areas for improvement and track your progress.