How to Save Money as the Weather Gets Colder

Nicholas Haywood

Many homeowners right now are concerned with saving money in the summer, but what about when the cold weather starts peeking out its ugly head? As the heat begins to die down, opportunities for savings at home pile up just like autumn leaves. If you’re looking to get a jumpstart on trimming the budget this fall, some simple home renovations can mean big savings as the weather gets colder.

Window
Image Credit: www.homeadvisor.com

Windows

Although they may not seem like it, windows can make a huge difference when it comes to saving money at home. Windows help regulate temperature, exposure to UV radiation and the overall amount of sunlight in your home. By making some subtle alterations to the current windows in your home, you can greatly reduce the money you spend on your heating and cooling bill.

  • Installing energy-efficient window film blocks harmful UV radiation from entering your home in the summer, and helps retain heat in the winter. Fairly inexpensive and easy to install, window film can save you up to 50% on heating and cooling costs.
  • Leaving curtains and drapes open during the day allows for sunlight to pour in and warm your home. While you’re away at work this is a great way to keep living spaces heated, but upon returning, close the drapes to trap in heat and maintain a toasty temperature.
  • Take a stick of lit incense and run it along the edges of the windows of your home to detect any possible leaks. If any should present themselves, seal them with caulking immediately to avoid drafts and to prevent heat from escaping your home.
Thermostat
Image Credit: energy.gov

Thermostats

If you haven’t purchased one already, buying a programmable thermostat is one of the best ways to combat the cold while keeping warm. For those forgetful folk out there who fail to turn the thermostat down at night and before work, investing in a smart thermostat is highly recommended. Although some units can be fairly expensive, they are worth the money, and here’s why:

  • Programmable thermostats give you the freedom to set presets while you’re at work, at the gym, on vacation or anywhere else, thus allowing you to control the temperature of your home while on-the-go.
  • If you turn your thermostat down by 10 degrees before you leave for work, and then again when you head to bed, you can save over 14% on your heating bill, or about $180 a year.
  • Depending on the time of day, programmable thermostats will self-adjust the temperature to maximize the efficiency of your heating and cooling.
Low Flow
Image Credit: www.sustainableconstructionblog.com

Low-Flow Appliances

Most people know by now that installing Low-Flow appliances is a great way to save money. Much like a programmable thermostat, they are a little costly up front, but once installed, can reduce your water bill by more than 50% every month. Aside from the financial benefits are also the environmental benefits that over time have an even greater impact on the planet as a whole.

  • Over 90% of our daily water consumption goes right down the drain. By installing Low-Flow appliances you can curb this waste whilst saving money at the same time.
  • By installing Low-Flow showerheads, you save money on not only your water bill, but also your heating bill, as you’ll be using less hot water. This also extends the life of your water heater.
  • According to the EPA, if everyone in the United States switched to Low-Flow appliances, the country would save close to $8 billion a year. If this is an indication of how effective these appliances are, then it should be an easy decision to make the switch.