Ah, winter: snowy days, holiday cheer, and a skyrocketing energy bill. The winter months can really hit you and your wallet hard if you live in a cold area. From heating your home to powering all your devices, you're likely not very excited about those merry utility bills. The good news is: there are some simple ways you can slash your energy bill this winter without sacrificing comfort.
You don’t need any expensive equipment or renovations, and you certainly don't need to shiver until April. In this blog post, we're going to explore some smart tweaks to your daily routine that can make a big difference at the end of each month. By the time spring rolls around, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t make these easy changes sooner.
Using Your Thermostat Properly
Using your thermostat properly can significantly lower your electricity bills this winter. Here are some tips:
Adjust Temperature
The ideal temperature setting for energy efficiency is 70-78°F. For every degree lower you set the thermostat, you can save up to 1% on your heating bill. At night or when you're away, turn the temperature down by 10-15 degrees.
Using a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat lets you set the temperature to lower at night or when you're out. It can greatly save energy -- up to 10% each year on heating and cooling costs. You can find basic programmable thermostats for around $35.
Turn Off Vents in Unused Rooms
If there are rooms in your home that you do not use often, close the vents or turn off your air conditioning in those rooms. This allows the heating system to focus on the rooms you do use, making it more efficient. Just be sure to open vents or turn on your air conditioner when those rooms are in use again.
Seal Air Leaks and Add Insulation
One of the easiest ways to lower your electricity bill in the winter is by sealing up air leaks and adding insulation. Air leaks are like holes in your energy efficiency, letting heated air escape and cold air in. Here's how:
Find & Seal Air Leaks
Check around the inside and outside of your home for any cracks or openings that could be letting cold air in. Check places such as:
- Attic access doors or hatches
- Basement doors or hatches
- Garage doors
- Crawlspace entrances
- Pipes or wires entering the attic, basement, crawlspace or garage
- Recessed lights in insulated ceilings
- Exhaust fans
- Dryer vents
- Locations where siding or trim meets window or door frames
Add insulation
If your attic or basement don't have enough insulation, add some. For most homes, the attic is the top priority. Aim for R-30 to R-60 fiberglass or cellulose insulation. The more insulation you add, the more you'll lower your heating costs.
Consider these insulation options:
- Fiberglass batts: inexpensive but can be irritating to work with.
- Blown-in cellulose: dense, repels moisture and settles over time.
- Blown-in fiberglass: lightweight, inhibits mold growth but more expensive.
- Foam board: high R-value, covers large areas but more costly.
Adding insulation and sealing up air leaks is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce energy use or waste in your home. Do an energy audit to find the biggest problem spots, then get to work plugging holes and adding extra insulation.
Update Old Appliances and Electronics
If you want to seriously trim your energy costs this winter, you could take things further than your thermostat. Reducing energy in other areas can help balance the rising heating costs during winter. Start by updating old appliances and electronics. Such as:
Refrigerator
Refrigerators are one of the biggest energy hogs in any home. If yours is more than 10 years old, it's probably costing you a small fortune to run. Newer models are far more efficient, using up to 50% less energy.
Switch out old TVs and electronics
Plasma TVs, desktop computers, and stereo equipment draw a lot of power even when idle or on standby. Swap them out for LED TVs, laptops, tablets, and Bluetooth speakers which are typically much more energy efficient appliances. Make sure to turn electronics completely off when not in use - they can still draw power when in sleep mode. Note that you can also purchase smart power strips that turn off unused devices automatically. You can purchase a power strip for around $15 online.
Update Your Water Heater
Even heating water uses a bunch of energy. In fact, you could be spending up to $600 a year on hot water if your electric heater is inefficient. So unless you shower in cold water, it could be worth it to update your water heater as well.
How About Saving on Your Phone Bill as Well!?
Saving money is always exciting. But what if we told you that you could save money on a bunch of different things? Such as by getting a FREE Phone with FREE data - courtesy of EASY Wireless.
Because of government connectivity programs in the US, we're able to offer you some incredible benefits. Such as:
What Benefits Do You Get With EASY Wireless?
Upon qualifying for one of the programs above with EASY Wireless, you will receive the following benefits:
EASY Wireless Unlimited Plan
- FREE Unlimited Data
- FREE Unlimited Talk
- FREE Unlimited Text
- FREE SIM Car Kit and Activation
- Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
How do I Apply For EASY Wireless Benefits?
To get started with EASY Wireless, apply online by clicking the below:
Start Saving Today!
Or you can come to one of the EASY Wireless's retail stores, where our customer service agent will help you apply for the benefits.
Either way, the first step is to provide proof of identity with a government-issued ID. This is so you can confirm your participation in one of the qualifying programs or that you meet the household income requirement.
We accept the following U.S. Government Issued ID:
- U.S. Driver License
- Certificate of U.S. Citizenship
- Certificate of Naturalization
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Government, State or Tribal issued-ID
- U.S. Military ID cards
- Permanent Resident Cards
- Permanent Resident Alien Cards
You can show the following documents to prove that you are taking part in a government assistance program or use them as proof of active benefits:
- Statement of benefits from a qualifying Program.
- Notice letter of participation, such as an award letter
- Program participation documents, such as a screenshot from an online account.
- In order to show income, you can provide any of the following proofs:
- Unemployment Documentation
- Copy of your State or Federal income tax return.
- Three months' worth of current pay stubs.
- Veterans Administration or SSI benefits letter.
- A divorce decree or child support document that states income.
- Retirement or pension statement.
Need More Than Just One Line of Service or an Additional Phone?
EASY Wireless is a full-service cellular store that cares about all of your communication needs. We have a wide range of pre-paid plans for every budget and usage requirement. Also, we offer a selection of brand-name phones that combine quality, reliability, and the latest technology.
That's not all – we also provide an array of amazing accessories to enhance your mobile experience. At EASY Wireless, we're dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring you find the perfect plan, phone, and accessories to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
Visit us for all your cell phone and wireless service needs today!
