Conserving Energy This Winter

Heating and cooling systems, no matter how energy-efficient, account for almost half of a home’s total energy costs. As temperatures drop or stay low this winter, the money spent on utilities often rises dramatically. Fortunately, Ben & Annie’s Trees for Tomorrow has a few simple ways to reduce your heating costs, save money this winter and do better for the planet at the same time. 

Keep cold air out and warm air in

While this tip might sound obvious, a lot of homes aren’t sealed as well as you’d think. Luckily, sealing your home is simple, effective and relatively inexpensive. Walk around the perimeter of your house and find areas where you can feel cold air leaking in—most common places are external doors, windows, attics and basements. Once you find the leak, use caulk or weatherstripping to seal the leak. 

If you’re in an older home with old windows, consider insulating them in the wintertime with a clear plastic wrap. The wrap is cheap, found at any home improvement store and are easy to both apply and remove. 

Close doors and vents in unused rooms 

Guest room, kid’s room who is away at college, storage area, hobby room—chances are, you might have a room or two in your house that isn’t getting much use. If there’s a space in your house that people rarely enter, you could be wasting valuable energy heating it during the cold season. Close off the vents in this space and shut the doors to redirect that heat to a more popular place. 

Make the most of space heaters 

If family members spend time in one smaller area of the house, consider purchasing an electric space heater for extra warmth. Popular places for this include near your work-from-home desk, in the bathroom and in the garage. There’s no need to crank the heat up on your entire house if only one area seems extra chilly. 

Encourage your family to bundle up 

Another great option, in addition to the electric space heater, is bundling up! According to the World Health Organization, the minimum temperature for home interiors during the winter is 64 degrees—and 70 degrees with older adults or infants. However, it can still feel chilly at those temperatures. If you’re trying to be energy conscious, consider wearing an extra sweatshirt, wrapping up in a blanket or wearing warm house shoes while at home. At night, a thick comforter or duvet should do the trick.  

Let the sun in during the day 

The sun is a completely cost-free source of heat. By keeping blinds and curtains open during the daytime, your home will experience a greenhouse effect and naturally heat your home—sometimes even by a couple of degrees when in direct sunlight. 

Energy savings for your wallet and world 

These adjustments in your home can help make a huge difference on both your heating bill and the environment as a whole. What’s more, some of the techniques can carry through to the warmer seasons and help save money on your air conditioning, as well. 

Ben & Annie’s Trees for Tomorrow is dedicated to the conservation of trees and other native plants throughout the greater San Antonio area. Aside from reducing energy usage in your home, there’s other ways to help create a better environment for future generations. Contact us online today to learn more about how you can make a difference in your community.