Green Tips for Saving Money around the House This Winter

Five cost cutting, energy cutting tips for a lucrative winter

We have a harsh winter ahead for so many families around the U.S. with so many states experiencing long durations of temperatures well below zero. In order to stay warm, save money, and do your part to give back to the environment, there are easy ways to remain green—even during the winter.

Here are five green tips for saving money around the house this winter.

1. Turn that thermostat down and layer up

One simple way to start the energy savings in your home this winter is to get a programmable thermostat and set it to lower to a specific temperature when you’re not at home. For instance, when you’re at work, you don’t need the heat cranked to hot as if you were in the house—that’s wasting energy. You can also program the thermostat to dip during the night when you’re in deep sleep. Program it to lower by a few degrees an hour after you go to sleep and then rise back to normal a half an hour before you get up, and then drop again a half hour after you leave for work and rise a half an hour before you return home. That way it doesn’t stay on all day. I usually keep the temperatures lower and throw on a sweater or blanket when I’m at home. Bundling up this way can save you a lot on home energy costs and you’ll still stay warm.

2. Let natural light in

Even though winter means that the days are shorter and the nights longer (with the sun setting as early as 5pm), I make it a point to open the blinds and curtains to let in the natural sunlight whenever I can. Not only does it ensure my family gets their vitamin D intake (important if you suffer from Season Affective Disorder or SAD), it also ensures you save money on your electric bills, and it might even entice you to go outside and get some exercise.

3. Reduce home heating costs by swapping that furnace filter

Even though you will be using your furnace quite a bit more this winter, you can save money on heating your home with natural gas simply changing your furnace filter. Seriously, if your filter is dirty and full of debris, your furnace isn’t running at full efficiency. Check out how a simple swap can help you lower your home heating costs and cut your energy use.

4. Power down

This tip is simple to: when you aren’t using your television, computer, stereo, or other electronic items, unplug them and turn them off! Even when they stay plugged in and off, they are sucking up “phantom power” and still costing you money. However, a low cost power strip will ensure your electronics aren’t sucking power while you aren’t using them.

5. Cut down your water usage

My husband and I recently installed a whole house water filter in our home. Not only has it Not only has it offered us a cost saving alternative to bottled water, but it has also reduced the harsh effects of water on our dishwasher, washing machine and water heater so they run more efficiently. Overtime time this will save us even more money since our appliances not only use less energy but they will last longer as well.

About The Author

Tina Jacobs is a registered nurse and DIY home improvement maven who has written and blogger for DIY Mother as well as numerous print and online publications ranging in topics from education to health and from home renovations to interior decorating.