Three Ways To Save On Your Energy Bill This Winter

Ahh, the holidays. Twinkling Christmas lights, evenings by the fire, snowflakes falling and turning the world into a winter wonderland. It’s happy and cozy and lots of fun – particularly if it’s your first winter in a new home – and then one day you open your electric bill. You get the shock of your life, and it’s not coming from the electricity…it’s coming from that giant red number that says “amount owed.” Nearly all homeowners have been there, and while there is little you can do to negate the fact that in some areas, you will simply use more electricity in winter than in other seasons, there are things you can do make that number a little less high. This is where your habits and choices can have a major impact on home much electricity you consume.

Three Ways To Save On Your Energy Bill This Winter

  • Turn down the thermostat
  •  Don’t heat unused rooms
  •  Make sure your doors and windows have a good seal

It seems like a no-brainer to turn down your thermostat, but most people don’t consider that they can live fairly comfortably in a much cooler house than they’ve ever experienced before. Many people stay in short sleeves and bare feet while in their home, even in the winter, but if you want to get the most bang for your buck, dress appropriately for winter inside your home. This means breathable layers and warm socks, and when you’re asleep under blankets, you can turn the thermostat down even lower. Most people are comfortable at 70 degrees, but with long sleeves and warm socks on, and perhaps a robe, 65 degrees will not seem chilly. You can even turn it down to 60 while you sleep and if you sleep with adequate blankets, you will be warm and comfortable (and may find you sleep better in a cold room!)

If you have rooms that are unused or rarely used, such as a guest room or parlor, shut the door and turn the vents off to those rooms. If you find you have a need for the room to be occupied (such as guests coming) simply turn the vent back on. This goes for any uninsulated areas as well – perhaps a garage. The more square footage you have, the longer and harder your heating unit has to run, causing you to spend more money.

Many people assume that if they don’t feel a cold draft in their home, they have windows and doors that are well-sealed and winterized. While it’s true that a draft is a dead giveaway that something’s not sealed well, you don’t necessarily need to feel a draft to be losing lots of heat through your windows and doors. Seal windows and doors, and put up heavy drapery on windows that will help with keep the cold windows from cooling down the rest of your house. If you have a lot of windows, that alone could be making your home colder! It’s not always easy to change old habits, but your wallet and the earth will thank you for it!

Are You Thinking of Buying a Home in Dubois County?

Use our site to search homes for sale in Jasper, Dubois, Spencer, Martin and Davis counties and all of our surrounding areas. Unlike the “big name” sites out there, at Sell 4 Free Welsh Realty our site is directly connected to our local MLS and is updated with new homes every hour. By signing up for New Listing alerts you can stay on top of the newest homes for sale and get price change alerts so you can stay ahead of other buyers and beat them to the hottest deals!

Start your Home Search now

Popular Jasper Indiana Home Searches:

Newest Homes for Sale in Dubois County

View the newest homes listed in Dubois County in the last 10 days:

Fantastic family home on quiet lot with plenty of space indoors and out. This 3 bed 2 bath home features a sun room that opens to shaded backyard with a fish pond. The eat in kitchen opens to the sun room and back patio area for easy entertainment space. There is a single car attached garage. Behind the home is a two car detached garage for storage and other projects. The home has a full basement that is partially finished. Newer paint and floor coverings make the home ready to move in. Great setting with mature trees in a very nice neighborhood. $180,000 Active

202 E 22nd Street Huntingburg, Indiana

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,627 SqFt 0.460 Acres

Listing courtesy of Joanie Troutman from Key Associates Signature Realty.

Enjoy the natural beauty of country living from all aspects: morning coffees on the covered front porch, evening dinners on the open patio, or night-time fires on the walk-out basement patio. This cheery, all brick, 3 1/2 bath home has lots of natural light. You are invited into an open living room, dining room and kitchen offering the perfect space to gather. And yes, main floor laundry and master suite! You will love the added bonus of a finished bath and family room in the basement which also offers a work space and plenty of storage. This home is extremely well built and economical to own with a new roof. Woodland Hills offers street lights for those morning/evening strolls and a community shelter house and playground is located nearby. You are nestled in a finger of Patoka Lake so look how close you are to the water for your recreation needs. Start enjoying this quaint, rural living! $218,000 Active

10561 E Glenwood Terrace Lane Celestine, Indiana

3 Beds 4 Baths 2,392 SqFt 0.794 Acres

Listing courtesy of Tama Stemle from RE/MAX Local.

This property features 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths,full basement with large family room on main floor and living room. This property has abundant storeage space along with outbuilding for work shop, car storage and more. property is level for potential garden spot with shaded trees. HUD property:#151-849991, FHA Financing: IE (Insured Escrow),Repair Escrow: $6,500, 203K : Yes, Subject property sold "AS IS" and "Where IS", "Equal Housing Opportunity". $36,000 Active

206 E Mary Street Holland, Indiana

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,559 SqFt 0.280 Acres

Listing courtesy of JAKE MAUNTEL from American Dream Mauntel Realty.