Winter in California might not bring snowstorms or bone-chilling cold, but the cooler months can still take a toll on your energy bills. As temperatures drop, the demand for warmth increases, and so does the energy needed to keep your home cozy and your appliances running. While you may not be battling heavy snowfall, the drop in temperature can still mean a spike in your utility costs. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to reduce energy consumption, keep your home warm, and avoid skyrocketing bills.
At Huft Home Services in Sacramento, CA, we’re here to help you find ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and make your winter both cozy and cost-effective. By making small changes around your home, you can stay comfortable while being kind to your wallet.
Quick Tips for Saving Energy During the California Winter:
- Lowering your thermostat by 2-3 degrees can significantly reduce energy consumption without compromising comfort; consider further reductions during nighttime or when away from home.
- Inspect windows and doors for drafts, replacing weather stripping or using draft stoppers as needed; covering unused or drafty windows with heavy curtains or thermal coverings can also help retain heat.
- Proper insulation in attics and floors prevents heat loss, maintaining a steady indoor temperature and enhancing energy efficiency.
- Upgrading to double or triple-pane windows improves insulation, reducing heat loss compared to older single-pane windows.
- Utilizing energy-efficient appliances and LED lighting decreases overall energy usage and lowers utility bills.
- Regular maintenance of your heating system, including professional inspections and routine filter replacements, ensures optimal performance and energy efficiency.
Learn more Below!
Start With Your Thermostat
You might not realize it, but every degree you adjust can noticeably impact your energy consumption. It’s easy to keep the thermostat set a little too high in winter to stay warm. But even setting it just a few degrees lower can save you significant energy and money over time.
Try lowering your thermostat by 2-3 degrees from what you usually set it at. You’ll hardly feel the change, but you’ll likely see reduced energy usage. During the night or when you’re away, consider lowering it even further to save even more. The key is to strike a balance between comfort and efficiency. If you want to go the extra mile, installing an automated thermostat allows you to set automatic schedules based on when you’re home, so you’re not wasting energy heating your home when you’re out.
Try Sealing Gaps and Looking for Drafts
Cold air sneaks in through the tiniest openings, and warm air escapes just as quickly. If your home has drafts, your heating system has to work harder to keep it at a comfortable temperature. This means that you will spend more on energy.
Take the time to inspect your windows and doors for any drafts. Start by checking the seals around the edges of your doors and windows. If you feel air coming through, it’s time to replace the weather stripping or use draft stoppers. These inexpensive fixes can immediately help keep the cold air outside where it belongs. Another easy solution is covering unused or drafty windows with heavy curtains or thermal window coverings. Not only do these reduce heat loss, but they also help keep your home cozy.
If you have more significant gaps, you can use caulk or foam sealant to fill the cracks around windows, door frames, and other areas where cold air is seeping in. Even small leaks can significantly increase energy costs, so it’s worth sealing them up.
Redo Your Insulation
Proper insulation helps maintain a steady temperature indoors by preventing warm and cold air from escaping. Insulating your attic and floors can make your home significantly more energy-efficient, and it doesn’t have to be an expensive overhaul.
Start by checking your attic insulation. This area is often a culprit when it comes to heat loss. If your attic is well insulated, you might gain more warmth than you realize. Adding more insulation can help keep heat in and lower your heating bills. You can also insulate pipes in areas like basements, crawl spaces, or unheated rooms to prevent them from freezing. Insulated pipes keep your water at a more stable temperature and reduce the energy needed to heat your water.
In addition to attic insulation, pay attention to your walls and floors, especially if you live in an older home. Insulating these places can make the house more comfortable and energy-efficient, which will show how much energy it uses. If you want to know more about the insulation in your home, you should talk to a professional who can find any gaps or places where more insulation could be added.
Huft Home Services can help you keep your home properly insulated!
Upgrade Your Windows
One area that often gets overlooked regarding energy efficiency is your windows. Older homes often have single-pane windows, which are known for letting cold air in and heat out. Because of this, your heating system has to work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. You can make your home much more energy efficient by replacing your single-pane windows with double or triple-pane windows. The design of these windows traps air between the panes. This adds another layer of insulation that helps keep your home’s temperature stable.
If replacing all your windows isn’t an option, you can still improve their efficiency by adding window film or using heavy curtains. Reflective window film can help reduce heat loss while also blocking out UV rays, protecting your furniture from fading. Additionally, closing curtains at night can help retain heat during the colder months.
Consider Your Appliances and Lighting Energy Usage
Everyday appliances and lighting can also contribute to your overall energy usage. First, look for appliances that have the ENERGY STAR label. This means that the product meets high standards for using energy efficiently. Buying products that use less energy, like a refrigerator, washing machine, or water heater, can help you use less energy generally and lower your bills. You can also save energy by ensuring your appliances are running efficiently — cleaning refrigerator coils, maintaining your dishwasher, and ensuring your washing machine uses the appropriate water temperature for each load.
One more place you can save energy is with the lights. It’s easy to cut down on your energy use by switching to LED lights. LED bulbs use a fraction of the energy that traditional incandescent bulbs use and last much longer, making them a cost-effective option for your home. Additionally, when you’re not using lights, turn them off to conserve energy.
Did you know Huft Home Services offers a variety of lighting solutions to California Homeowners?
Heating System Efficiency Check
If your system isn’t running efficiently, it can lead to higher bills and unnecessary wear on the equipment. Luckily, you don’t have to change your heating system to make it work better. There are a few things you can do.
Start by having your furnace or heating system professionally inspected before the winter season begins. A routine check-up can identify any minor issues that might be hindering the system’s performance, like clogged filters, dirty burners, or malfunctioning components. A technician can also ensure that the system is running at peak efficiency, saving you money in the long run.
In addition to professional maintenance, make sure to replace or clean your furnace filter regularly. A clogged or dirty filter restricts airflow, causing the system to work harder and consume more energy. Depending on your filter type, you should change it every 1-3 months. You can also improve the efficiency of your system by ensuring that air vents and registers are not blocked by furniture or other obstacles, allowing for proper airflow throughout your home.
Another option is to install a smart thermostat, which can help optimize your home’s heating schedule. A smart thermostat learns your habits and adjusts the temperature based on your preferences, ensuring you’re not wasting energy heating an empty house. It can even be controlled remotely, giving you greater control over your energy usage.
Huft Home Services can provide heating maintenance services to California homeowners!
Call Us This Winter
Saving energy during the winter doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just a few small changes—like adjusting your thermostat, sealing up gaps, and using energy-efficient appliances—you can make a big difference in how much you’re spending on energy.
Not only will these tips help you save money, but they’ll also contribute to a more sustainable home. The best part is you don’t have to do it alone. If you need help with making your home more energy-efficient or have questions about how to implement these tips, call Huft Home Services. We also offer cooling, heating, plumbing, and electrical services, including water filtration, leak detection, HVAC installation and repairs, heat pumps, drain cleaning, electrical panel installs, and EV charging.
