How to Save Money on Utility Bills this Winter

Winter is coming! That is more than just a line from HBO’s game of thrones. For many it means higher utility bills, so here is how you save.

Move Your Furniture Away from Baseboards

Do you have furniture like couches, dressers, and beds shoved up against their baseboard heaters? A 2-3 inch buffer zone between your furniture and the baseboard heaters will allow the air to move around the room and heat your whole apartment, instead of the back of your sofa.

Reverse your Fan Direction

If you have a fan, run it. Most fans have a switch on the side, or on their remote, that allows you to reverse the direction. As hot air tends to rise to the ceiling, running the fan in reverse at a slow speed will disrupt this air and push it back down – making your living space feel much warmer.

Open up those Blinds

The sun is still as bright as ever in the winter, and you can take advantage of the natural greenhouse effect. During the day, open up all curtains and blinds and let the light stream in. Even on the coldest day, this will create a greenhouse effect that traps the heat in your home to keep you nice and toasty. Most importantly, you might be able to even turn down your thermostat during sunny days.

Know your Heating System

All heating systems are different, and we want to help you identify what you have. Shoot us an email to live@harrisonrichards.com, and we can point you in the right direction. The most common systems are forced air and baseboard heaters. Generally, these should be set and forget. Keeping your heat on at all times will save you money because it is much more expensive to heat a room back up from freezing cold. Even if you go on vacation, you should leave your heat on at 60 degrees or above to save money and avoid burst pipes!