The first cold snap of the season usually comes with a second shock a month later: the heating bill. Heating is one of the biggest energy costs in most American homes, and it can easily double a winter utility bill. The good news is that you don't need to freeze or spend thousands on renovations to bring it down.
Here are practical, proven ways to lower your heating bill this winter, starting with free changes you can make today, followed by cheap fixes that pay for themselves, and the help that is available if bills are hard to pay.
Why Heating Bills Jump in Winter
Your home is constantly losing heat to the outdoors. The bigger the difference between the temperature inside and outside, the faster that heat escapes through walls, windows, doors, the roof and tiny air leaks. Your furnace, boiler or heat pump has to replace every bit of it.
That gives you two levers to pull: reduce how much heat you need (by lowering the thermostat when it doesn't matter) and slow down how fast heat escapes (by sealing and insulating). Almost every tip below does one of those two things.
Free Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill
1. Set the thermostat to 68°F when you're home
The US Department of Energy suggests setting your thermostat to around 68°F (20°C) while you are awake and at home in winter, and lower when you are asleep or away. Each degree you lower the setting reduces how hard your heating system has to work. A cozy sweater, warm socks and a blanket on the couch make 68°F feel perfectly comfortable for most people.
2. Turn it down at night and when you leave
According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back 7 to 10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting, for example while you sleep or while you are at work.
It is a myth that the furnace "works harder" to warm the house back up and wipes out the savings. A cooler house loses heat more slowly, so you use less energy overall. One exception: if you have a heat pump, large setbacks can trigger expensive backup electric heat, so use small setbacks of a few degrees or a thermostat designed for heat pumps.
3. Let the sun do some of the work
On sunny days, open the curtains and blinds on south-facing windows to let in free solar heat. As soon as the sun goes down, close them to add a layer of insulation against the cold glass.
4. Flip your ceiling fan
Warm air rises and collects near the ceiling. Most ceiling fans have a small switch on the motor housing that reverses the direction. In winter, set the fan to spin clockwise at a low speed (as you look up at it). This gently pushes warm air down along the walls without creating a chilly breeze.
5. Don't block vents and radiators
Sofas, curtains and rugs sitting over heating vents or in front of radiators trap the heat where you can't feel it. Give them a few inches of clearance. Closing vents in unused rooms is usually not a good idea with modern forced-air systems, because it can unbalance the system rather than save energy.
6. Lower your water heater temperature
Many water heaters are set to 140°F at the factory. The Department of Energy recommends 120°F for most households, which is hot enough for showers and dishes and reduces wasted energy and the risk of scalding.
Cheap Fixes That Pay for Themselves
7. Seal air leaks
Small gaps add up. Air leaks around doors, windows, outlets, attic hatches and plumbing openings can let a surprising amount of warm air escape. A tube of caulk and a roll of weatherstripping cost only a few dollars each at a hardware store.
- Run your hand around a closed door or window on a windy day. If you feel a draft, it needs sealing.
- Use weatherstripping on parts that move (doors and window sashes) and caulk on gaps that don't move (window frames and trim).
- Add a door sweep or a simple draft stopper at the bottom of exterior doors.
- Foam gaskets behind outlet and switch covers on outside walls block another hidden source of drafts.
Energy Star, the government-backed efficiency program, estimates that sealing air leaks and adding insulation can save homeowners an average of about 15% on heating and cooling costs.
8. Change your furnace filter
A clogged filter makes your system work harder to push air through the house. Check it monthly in winter and replace it when it looks dirty, usually every one to three months depending on the filter and whether you have pets.
9. Get a tune-up
An annual check by a heating technician keeps a furnace or heat pump running efficiently and safely. It is also a good time to make sure your carbon monoxide detectors work, since fuel-burning heaters can produce this invisible, deadly gas.
10. Use a programmable or smart thermostat
If you always forget to turn the heat down, let a thermostat do it for you. Energy Star says its certified smart thermostats save the average user about 8% on heating and cooling bills. Many utilities offer rebates that cut the purchase price.
11. Insulate the attic
If your home is older, the attic is often the biggest weak spot, because heat rises and escapes through the roof. Adding insulation costs more than the other fixes, but it can make a big difference for decades. Check with your utility or state energy office for rebates and free home energy audits.
Are Space Heaters Cheaper?
A space heater can save money if you use it to warm one small room you are sitting in while you keep the rest of the house cooler. Using several space heaters to heat a whole home is usually more expensive than a central system, especially with electric heaters.
Safety matters more than savings here. Fire safety experts recommend keeping space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, plugging them directly into a wall outlet (not an extension cord or power strip), never leaving them running when you leave the room or go to sleep, and choosing models with automatic tip-over shutoff.
Help If You Can't Afford Your Heating Bill
- Budget billing: Most utilities can spread your yearly energy costs evenly across 12 months, so winter bills don't come as a shock.
- LIHEAP: The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps eligible households pay heating bills. Apply through your state or local agency.
- Weatherization Assistance: A Department of Energy program that helps eligible low-income households make free efficiency improvements, such as sealing and insulation.
- Call your utility early: If you fall behind, ask about payment plans before your account goes into collections. Many states also have winter rules that limit shutoffs for heating.
An emergency fund also makes surprise winter bills much less stressful. Our step-by-step guide shows how to build an emergency fund, and if you pay your utility bills by card, read how credit card interest works and how to never pay it. Before a big storm hits, it also helps to know what winter storm watches, warnings and advisories mean.
Keeping the heat too low can freeze your pipes. Also read: How to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter (and Thaw Them Safely).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most energy-efficient temperature for winter?
The US Department of Energy suggests about 68°F while you are awake at home, and lower while you sleep or are away.
Is it cheaper to leave the heat on all day or turn it down?
Turning it down saves money. A cooler home loses heat more slowly, so you use less energy, even counting the time it takes to warm back up. Heat pump owners should use smaller setbacks.
Does closing vents in unused rooms save money?
Usually not with central forced-air systems. It can increase pressure in the ducts and make the system less efficient. Closing the doors and lowering the thermostat works better.
How much can sealing drafts save?
Energy Star estimates that sealing air leaks and adding insulation can save an average of about 15% on heating and cooling costs.
Which way should a ceiling fan turn in winter?
Clockwise, at a low speed, when you look up at it. This pushes warm air down from the ceiling.
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