Heating costs are up, but your bill doesn’t have to be. The good news? You don’t need expensive upgrades or a new system to see real savings. Small, consistent tweaks to how you use heat - and how your home holds it - can make a noticeable difference.
This guide focuses on simple actions you can do in minutes, plus a few low‑effort habits that keep your home cozy and efficient all winter long.
1) Start with the Thermostat
If you do only one thing today, do this: lower your thermostat by 1–2°F. It’s one of the fastest ways to save money on your heating bill without sacrificing comfort. For most homes, a daytime range of 68–70°F (when people are active) and nighttime at 66–68°F (with blankets) is easy to tolerate. But no more than a two-degree change. Even a small decrease adds up!
Do this now:
- Lower your current setting by 1–2°F.
- If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, schedule day vs. night temps and set away modes during work hours.
Pro tip: Nighttime decreases are especially effective - your body tolerates cooler temps better while sleeping, and your bedding does the rest.
2) Seal Those Window and Door Drafts!
Drafts are like tiny open windows that leak heat and money. The usual suspects: exterior doors, window frames, mail slots, pet doors, and chimneys without dampers.
Here’s where to start:
- Block gaps at door bottoms with rolled towels, a draft stopper, or even a folded blanket. Use “door snakes” and draft stoppers.
- Press your hand around window frames; if you feel cold air, cover the gap temporarily. Find window insulation kits are your hardware store or use painter’s tape and plastic wrap in a pinch.
- Close the damper on your fireplace when not in use to prevent warm air from rushing up the chimney.
3) Use Curtains and Blinds Strategically
Windows can either lose heat or help you gain it - depending on how you use your window coverings.
How to use your curtains:
- Open curtains on sunny windows during the day to let in free heat.
- Close curtains tightly at dusk to keep warmth in.
- If you have sheer curtains, layer them with thicker drapes for better insulation. Consider special insulating curtains or thick blackout curtains.
- Floor coverage matters too! Add a rug to bare floors to reduce heat loss and make rooms feel warmer underfoot.
Pro tip: Pay special attention to large north-facing or leaky windows—closing those early makes a noticeable difference.
4) Rearrange the Room for Better Heat Flow
If a vent, radiator, or baseboard is blocked, your system works harder to push heat around - and you feel colder than you need to.
Try these tips today:
- Move couches, beds, and rugs away from vents and radiators.
- Vacuum vents and baseboards, so dust doesn’t restrict airflow.
- Make sure curtains don’t drape overheat sources.
These are small changes that can improve comfort immediately.
5) Close Off What You Don’t Use
You don’t have to heat every square foot of your house equally, especially rooms you barely use.
- Close doors to rarely used rooms (guest rooms, storage, laundry).
- If you have room-by-room controls or baseboard heaters, turn down those zones slightly.
- Keep the warmest, coziest spaces where you actually spend time.
Note: Don’t shut off more than a room or two if you have a central system—extreme imbalances can affect airflow! Central heating systems need air to flow throughout your home for best performance. The goal is moderation.
6) Layer Smart and Dress for Warmth
Comfort isn’t only about the thermostat. The cheapest upgrade is what you wear! Embrace layers to feel warmer instantly!
Quick adjustments:
- Warm socks or slippers (cold floors steal heat).
- A light sweater, hoodie, or fleece.
- A lap blanket for couch time or desk work.
Change your mindset about what you wear around the house. Cozy layers beat cranking the heat!
7) Maintain What You Already Have
An efficient system is a cheaper one - even if it’s not new. Simple maintenance helps your system work smarter, not harder.
Easy tasks:
- Replace or clean your furnace filter (check monthly; change every 1–3 months during heavy use). Dirty filters choke airflow and force your system to run longer.
- Dust and vacuum around vents, baseboards, and radiators.
- Have your system inspected twice per year. Schedule Henson Robinson Company to come out in the fall and spring for a quick inspection to be ready for the season.
Every minute you spend on maintenance pays you back in lower energy use and better comfort.
5 Things You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less Today
- Lower the thermostat by 1–2°F (no more than two degrees in extreme cold).
- Block a draft at your front or back door with a towel.
- Open sunny curtains now; set a reminder to close them at dusk.
- Move furniture and curtains away from vents/radiators.
- Layer up with a comfortable sweater and slippers or socks.
FAQs: Saving Money on Your Heating Bill
How much can I save by lowering the thermostat?
Even small decreases help. Many households notice meaningful savings with just a 1–2°F change. Be careful not to go more than two degrees in extreme temperatures. Pair that with good habits (curtains, draft blocking) for compounding results.
Do curtains really help?
Yes. Open curtains for sun, close curtains at dusk is a powerful daily habit. Heavier curtains and snug fits reduce drafts around windows and help keep warm air in at night.
What about closing vents in unused rooms?
Lightly reducing heat in unused rooms is fine but avoid closing multiple doors and vents in homes with central heating.
How often should I change my furnace filter?
Check monthly in winter; replace every 1–3 months depending on dust, pets, and usage. If it looks gray or clogged, swap it - your system (and bill) will thank you.
Warmth Without Waste
You don’t need a new system or a new budget - to feel warmer and spend less. Start with one or two quick wins today (check your thermostat, blocking a draft, switching up how you use curtains), then add simple habits over the week. The payoff is a cozier home and a lower heating bill, without big-ticket purchases or complicated projects. Still can’t beat the cold? Call Henson Robinson Company. You can depend on us for the solutions you need.