The winter months can be challenging for a number of reasons, but they’re especially difficult if you live in a chilly part of the country and are facing financial difficulties. With the USA expected to have a colder-than-usual winter, now’s the time for budget-conscious homeowners to begin thinking about how they’ll stay warm in their homes without having to worry about rising heating bills.
Happily, there are a number of cost-reducing strategies that can help you if you’re in that situation. In this post, we’ll outline four tried-and-tested tips that should help you enjoy a peaceful winter.
Facing a Cold Winter? How to Stay Warm When Money Is Tight
Heating System Maintenance
It’s worthwhile ensuring that your heating system is working exactly as it should. While you might have to spend a small amount of money to do so, it can be an investment that pays for itself multiple times over throughout the course of the winter season (and beyond).
A well-maintained heating system will work efficiently, which ensures that you’re not paying more than necessary on your energy bills. Preventive maintenance also helps to reduce the chances that the system will experience a breakdown that requires costly emergency repairs during the height of winter.
Budget for Heating Costs
With energy costs rising, it’s anticipated that Americans will spend more than average on their heating bills this winter. If you’re on a budget, then the rising costs — it could be as much as 7.6% more than last year — could be too much to manage. There are a couple of strategies for staying warm this winter without worrying about the financial implications.
One option is to start saving now, when costs are lower, so you have extra money in the bank when the real cold weather arrives. If you’re uncertain whether you will be able to pay for your energy bills, then look at submitting a HEAP application as early as possible. It will help you to cover heating costs. There are other ways to keep heating costs down, too, such as turning down your thermostat slightly and buying a couple of weighted blankets.
Seal Up Drafts
As we mentioned above, energy costs are expected to be higher than normal this year. As such, it’s important to take steps to ensure that any heat that you do pump into your home remains there. Drafty windows and doors can make it more difficult to keep your home warm. Some inexpensive methods for quickly improving your home’s insulation include adding draft excluders and weather stripping your doors and windows, which makes it more difficult for warm air to escape/cold air to enter.
Focus on the Main Rooms
Most people have a whole-home heating system, but in practice, you probably don’t need to keep every room in your property toasty and warm. Sealing off unused rooms and solely focusing on heating the rooms in which you actually spend time — such as your living room and bedroom — can dramatically reduce costs. That simple step means that you no longer have to pay to heat your home, just the rooms you use.
Preparing your home for a cold winter doesn’t have to drain your wallet — it just takes a little foresight and strategy. By maintaining your heating system, budgeting ahead, sealing drafts, and concentrating warmth where it matters most, you can stay cozy even when temperatures drop and costs rise.
A few thoughtful changes can make a big difference in both comfort and savings, helping you enjoy the season instead of dreading your energy bill. With preparation, you’ll be ready to face whatever this colder-than-usual winter brings — warm, relaxed, and in control.