Expert Says These Are 4 Things You Can Do to Save Money at Home This Winter

As temperatures drop, energy bills go up, and this winter could be especially costly for U.S. households.

Last month, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected that Americans can expect to pay up to 28 percent more to heat their homes this winter than last year due to rising fuel costs and what’s forecasted to be a cold winter in many regions.

However, there are a few simple steps homeowners can take to cut those increasing bills.

Angie Hicks, Chief Customer Officer at home services website Angi and co-founder of Angie’s List, told Newsweek of some hacks she’d recommend doing around the house.

Tips For Saving Money This Winter

1) Upgrade Your Thermostat

“If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you might consider investing in one,” Hicks said. “That allows you to keep your thermostat lower when you’re not there.”

She said consumers may expect to spend around $100 to $200 for a good programmable thermostat, but the savings that accrue over time will make it a wise investment.

Ram Narayanamurthy, Emerging Technologies Program Manager in the Department of Energy’s Building Technologies, seconded the idea of a thermostat upgrade.

Narayanamurthy told Newsweek that homeowners should buy a “smart thermostat that has capabilities for automation,” adding most utility companies have rebates for such products.

2) Check for Drafts

Hicks recommended that homeowners walk through their house and check for drafts. She said, “One of the easiest ways to do it is take a lit candle and walk past your windows or your doors. And wherever you’re seeing the flame flicker, you know you’ve got a draft.”

If Hicks’ test shows you do indeed have a draft in your house, she said your next step is a trip to the store (or check the internet) for weatherstripping.

“A lot of people can DIY putting weatherstripping up. I did this on one of my doors. I put a sweep at the bottom of my door—super easy—and I think it was maybe 10 bucks on Amazon,” Hicks said. “You’ll be amazed at how much heat you lose from around those windows and doors.”

Hicks said homeowners should also consider seeing if it’s time to update older windows. If the investment is a little too high, people could check into putting a temperature-controlling film on the window or weatherstripping around it to prolong window…