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10 Ways to Cut Heating Costs and Stay Warm This Winter

Fantastic winter landscape with wooden house in snowy mountains. Smoke comes from the chimney of snow covered hut. Christmas holiday and winter vacations concept

When the cold of winter sets in, it’s time to get creative to cut heating costs!

Image Credit:
Smit
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Everyone wants to save on their heating bill, so here are ten ways to cut heating costs and keep your home warmer in the cold season!

During the chilly months of late fall and winter, no matter what heat source you use—oil, gas, electricity, or wood—you can cut costs by adopting temporary measures to keep the thermostat turned down. Here are some money-saving tips for cutting the cost of cold snaps.

Note: Some of these tips are only appropriate for above-freezing cold snaps and are not advised for subfreezing temperatures.

10 Ways to Keep Heating Costs Down

1. Keep doors and vents open in each room to keep air circulating properly in your home at the correct pressure. 

When heating your home, keeping doors and vents open is better. Closing them can make your heating system work harder and less efficiently and cause ductwork leaks or other issues. Move furniture back from the heating vents to get all the heat you’re paying for!

2. Hang blankets over the windows at night. 

Get insulated curtains in your windows to trap heat.  Or, just tape or thumbtack the sides and bottom of blankets to the walls or windowsills to maximize the insulation value. (Press the tacks or tape under the bottom of the sill and over the top of the frame to hide any damage to the finish.) Remove the coverings on the south side of the house during the day to let in the warming sunlight. 

3. Cover cracks around doors and windowsills.

You can use rugs, newspaper, towels, or other insulation. Window-sealing kits can be bought at hardware stores, too.

4. Use energy-efficient electric space heaters in living or work areas. 

These are more efficient than the furnace for localized heating, allowing you to lower the thermostat for the whole house. Always be sure to use space heaters in open areas only.

5. Put on layers. 

The real trick to staying warm is to dress in layers, so get a few pairs of long underwear and long-sleeved undershirts that you can wear in addition to your regular lounge clothes. 

Don’t underestimate the heating power of a wool sweater! Don’t forget about the slippers. And if you’re really chilly, wear a cap or hat.

6. Add layers to your furniture. 

Don’t forget to add warm blankets to your sofa, flannel sheets on your bed, and even extra floor rugs (especially in the bathroom).

7. Change your furnace filter. 

A dirty filter increases your heating bill. It’s worthwhile to change your filter every month if needed. It goes without saying that the annual furnace tune-up is well worth the money saved.

8. Lower the thermostat. 

For many heating systems, if you are home during the day, it is best to keep to the lowest comfortable temperature; an often-recommended setting is 68°F. It makes sense (and cents) to lower the thermostat by about 8 to 10 degrees when you are asleep or away for several hours. 

Tip: A programmable thermostat will make the adjustments for you. (Note: If you have a heat pump, a more moderate, constant setting works best, or use a programmable thermostat specifically designed for heat pumps.) 

During extreme cold snaps, set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature that your furnace can handle (the furnace will work better at lower temperatures), and keep it at that temperature both day and night. (Remember that setting the thermostat higher than your goal won’t make the home heat faster.) If you plan to be away for a few days, set your thermostat no lower than 55°F to help prevent water pipes from freezing during cold weather.

9. Check the damper. 

Shut the damper when the fireplace is not in use. Check the seals around the damper to make sure that they are tight.

10. Drink a warm drink. 

Though consuming the hot liquid will only warm you marginally, holding a warm mug in your hands can really help! We love a mug of Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows!

See some great tips from Almanac readers in the comments below.

a cup of hot tea

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature should I set my thermostat to in winter?


Most experts recommend around 68°F when home and awake, and lower when sleeping or away.

Do space heaters save money?


Yes, when used safely to heat occupied rooms, space heaters can reduce the need to heat the entire house.

Does changing furnace filters really help?


Yes. Clean filters improve efficiency and lower energy use, helping reduce heating costs.

Is it safe to lower the thermostat when away?


Yes, but keep it no lower than 55°F to help prevent frozen pipes.

Learn More

Get tips on keeping pipes from freezing in subfreezing temperatures, explore more ideas for staying warm in winter, and catch up on your winter weather terms so you know when storms are coming!

How do you save money on heat in your house during the winter? Comment and let us know!

Money-Saving Tips

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<a rel="nofollow" href="http://eatbettercheaper.blogspot.com">Bill J</a> Sat, 01/02/2016 - 22:03
I remove the screens from my windows and wrap plastic sheeting around them and then re-install the screens. This creates a translucent "second window" with an insulating air gap between the glass pane and the screen. It also seals the window better since the plastic around the screen's frame makes it a tight fit and very little air flows around it. I know it is effective because the condensation I used to have on the windows, and resulting mold, has completely ceased to occur. My electric bill went down noticeably. I also installed good quality storm doors on my front and rear entrances.
<span>Lillace Christianson</span> Mon, 12/28/2015 - 12:50
I love to do my ironing early in the mornings before the house has warmed up. The moist heat from the iron heats the room and warms me as well.
<span>Mary1980</span> Fri, 05/22/2015 - 06:40
Thanks for the tip.
<span>Mary1980</span> Fri, 05/22/2015 - 06:39
Great tip. Thanks.
<span>Mary1980</span> Fri, 05/22/2015 - 06:38
I've tried this insulation method in the past and it does work.
<span>Lloyd Creech</span> Sun, 10/02/2011 - 10:45
My son lives in Austin, Texas where they have brutal heat and he did this to a large window that got direct sunlight in the afternoon and it made a tremendos difference in the cooling his house
<span>Htmagic</span> Tue, 09/13/2011 - 12:56
Home improvement stores carry foam insulation board. It comes in various thicknesses but the one type has a foil backing already applied. I believe it is about 1/2-inch thick. It comes in 4ft x 8 ft sheets. Cut it to fit snugly in your window with the shiny side facing in to reflect the heat back into the room. Don't press the board directly against the window as the air gap between the board and window helps insulate better. The snug fit will also cut any drafts. During the day, you can pull the foam board out of the window opening and let the sun in on the southern side. Keep them in for the northern side. Or paint the non-foil side black and leave them in during the day. The black will absorb the sun and heat the air gap between the window and board. Conversely, in the summer, you can cut your cooling bill by putting the foam board in the window with the foil side out to reflect the hot summer heat. For less than $7 for a 32 sq. ft. sheet, the insulation can cover several windows and reap a lot of savings. There is no tacking or hanging blankets and they're easier to remove during the day. The insulation value is also better and the foil reflects the radiant heat. An acquaintance tried this on his home with single pane windows and cut his winter heating bill in about half!
<span>Laurel</span> Thu, 10/24/2019 - 19:53
I'm in northern Arizona, 4,500 alt. It gets cold enough here. I have a north facing window that is shaded by trees and just up from a creek area, so the room is cool in the hot summer months and COLD in the autumn, winter, early spring months. I use bubble wrap on all windows during the cooler times but have been wondering what else I can do for that one window. I'll head to the hardware store tomorrow.