During the chilly months, even in the South, we instantly turn to cranking up the heat for warmth. Check out these tips to beat the freeze without breaking the bank:
- Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you’ll save up to 5% on heating costs.
- Reduce hot water temperature to normal or 120 degrees. Savings are 7-11% of water heating costs.
- Seal any leaks around windows, doors and pipes with caulk. This step will keep the cold air at bay. You will save up to 10% on energy costs.
- Let the sunshine in. Open curtains during the day to let in free warmth.
- Rearrange your furniture. If you sit or sleep near exterior walls, consider changing your arrangement to avoid drafts.
- Shorten your showers. Although the warm water feels great during the winter, reducing your time by just a few minutes can cut your water heating costs by 33%.