ST. PAUL Blog

How to Lower Your Energy Bills Without Getting Cold This Winter

As the nights darken and the leaves fall from the trees, we start to feel the cold seeping in. While a little cold when we’re out and about is tolerable, being cold in your own home isn’t. A cold house makes things like getting out of bed, taking a shower, and getting dressed a truly unpleasant experience. However, increasing energy prices have forced many people to consider being uncomfortable to avoid a huge energy bill at the end of the month. 

But is that really the only option? 

The good news is that, no, it’s not. Whether you’re trying to stay warm here in the St. Paul area of Minnesota, or elsewhere, our top tips below will ensure your winters are comfortable. 

3 Ways to Lower Your Energy Bills Without Getting Cold This Winter

1. Get Your Insulation Upgraded 

If your energy bills are high, your home’s energy efficiency is likely the cause. The homes being built now have a high level of energy efficiency, but older homes were not built to such high standards of insulation. If you live in an old home, you need to regularly (every 5-10 years) get the insulation assessed and the home air sealed. 

When your home has aging insulation, perhaps some cracks where the air can leak out (such as around windows and doors), and old windows, all of your warm air can pass through your walls and windows easily. It’s the equivalent of having the heat blasting in your car but all of the windows cracked - you’re just never going to get the house warm. As a result, your thermostat will always be trying to get your house up to temperature, and so your heating system will require constant fuel. 

A home that has had its insulation updated and windows, doors, and other openings air sealed will not have this problem and the warm air inside will be trapped inside the home. Your home will reach your thermostat’s set temperature and then your heating system will turn off - meaning you will not be spending money on the energy needed to supply it. 

If you’re not sure if your home needs air sealing and new insulation, please contact our St. Paul experts to assess your home. You can do a quick assessment on your own by asking yourself the following: 

• When was the insulation put in/last updated? (If more than 10 years ago you may need an update) 
• Do I feel any draughts around the home? 
• Are there icicles hanging from the roof in the winter? 
• Are my energy bills higher than they should be? (You can find an average here) 
• Does it get cold quickly when the heating turns off? 

1. Heat Limited Rooms 

If your insulation is good, or if you don’t have the funds to get new insulation or air sealing at this time (it’s worth reaching out to our St. Paul team for a quote - it can be much more affordable than you’d think, especially when you consider the future savings), the next best step is to heat only the rooms you’re using. For example, you may live in a 3 bedroom home with a living room and dining room, but you only actively use your living room, two bedrooms, and bathroom. 

If this is the case, it’s best to close off the rooms you don’t use and turn off the heating in those rooms. If you do need to use them, you can simply go in a few hours before the room needs to be at a comfortable temperature, and turn your heating back on. This will allow you to only pay for the heat you need. 

1. Manually Turn Your Heat On and Off 

When there’s snow on the ground outside, you’ll likely need to have your heat on at all times. But, for those milder days, perhaps when the sun is shining or it’s unseasonably warm you can likely turn your heating off during the day. While many people think of our heating systems like a car - using more energy on startup - this is not the case. 

By only turning the heating on when you’re cold, you’ll use less energy than if you set your thermostat and forget about it all winter. You don’t need to manually flick a switch (though most thermostats have a day and night setting you can use for this), but do adjust your thermostat down to account for the warmer weather. 

Stay Warm in St. Paul, Minnesota This Winter

If you’re in the St. Paul area and are struggling with your rising energy bills, take 10 minutes to assess your home for its energy efficiency. If it’s been more than 10 years since your insulation was last updated, if you feel draughts even when doors and windows are closed, or if you get icicles on your roof, your home’s insulation can be improved. The better your insulation, the more comfortable you’ll be year-round and the less money you’ll spend on your energy bills. 

To get an assessment and estimate, click here.