7 Easy Energy Saving Tips for Winter Months

Cold winter weather generally means higher heating and energy bills at your new home near Grand Rapids. But that doesn’t have to be you. Here are a few energy saving tips from Heartland Builders for those long winter days ahead. Find out more about Heartland Builder’s Green Building Methods to see how you can also save energy costs with a new energy efficient home.

1. Turn down your thermostat. For each degree you lower your thermostat, you roughly save about 3 percent on the next heating bill for your new home near Grand Rapids. You can also turn your thermostat down when you leave for work and when you are sleeping. Your new home does not need to stay at 70 degrees or higher when nobody is at home or you are all bundled up under the covers.
2. Let your computer sleep. When you are away from your computer or other electronic devices, set them to sleep or turn them off. Some electronics still draw energy even then they are not on. To save even more energy , unplug devices like your coffee maker after you are done using them.
3. Use energy saving light bulbs. New compact fluorescent bulbs or CFL bulbs will help save money on your energy bill. According to Energy Star, CFL bulbs use almost 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 6 times longer than older household light bulbs.
4. Take shorter showers.. While long hot showers are nice on a cold winter day, long showers waste energy at you’re your new home. Try taking a shower that is 15 minutes or less to save on your winter energy costs.
5. Rearrange your furniture along interior walls. Place seating like a sofa or chair along interior walls that will retain more heat than exterior walls. Walls with lots of windows and directly leading outside provide a beautiful view, but also lose heat during the winter.
6. Consider thermo drapes. Drapes that block out sunlight and have a thermo backing will help keep your windows from losing heat during the winter. Pull your energy efficient drapes back during the day to allow sunlight to heat your new home near Grand Rapids and draw them in the evening to help retain more heat overnight.
7. Cold wash your laundry. This will not only help keep your colors more vibrant, but it will also save you money on your energy bill. Buy cold water laundry detergent and set your clothes to wash on the warm/cold cycle.