An effective heating system in your home can make all the difference in the world, but finding a cost-friendly solution is often frustrating and can feel futile. Whether you are a first-time homeowner, or you have lived in your home for thirty years, properly heating your home is a universal priority. Money is, too, especially when considering that nearly 42 percent of your utility bill is made up of the energy used to run your home heating system. This is more or less true regardless of whether you live in the frigid north or you experience the biting seasonal chills of the south. Moreover, there are numerous factors that play into choosing the best heating option for your home, from your location to your existing heat system. Nevertheless, there are various ways to cut back on heating costs while still enjoying warmth on chilly days, and this article provides several options for you to consider as you look for the best fit for your home.

Space Heater

Space heaters are the unsung heroes of heating options. Because they do not use complex heating mechanics, they are often underrated. What’s more, people who often ask themselves “how much electricity does a space heater use?” rely on inaccurate sources that claim space heaters are an ineffective way of heating up your home. Space heaters are only inefficient when you blast the gas furnace at the same time. The right way to use a space heater is to lower the thermostat on your gas furnace while the space heater is in use. It’s simple: space heaters use what is called a “tungsten filament,” and can actually heat up rather quickly. As a result, space heaters use less electricity because they require less time to warm up. In addition, they are often portable as well, needing only to be plugged into an outlet in your wall, and are more efficient than gas furnaces, which tend to leak heat through the air ducts.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Another way of saving money while heating your home is to install thermostatic radiator valves. These heating controls allow you to control when your heat comes on, and you can set it to turn on at predetermined intervals. Heating controls are an effective way of ensuring that you are only using heat when you need it. Calculations show that installing trvs can result in energy savings as high as forty percent, so it’s a moot question whether these heating controls are worth it. Radiator valves can also help you maintain different temperatures in different parts of the house, depending on your preferences. Overall, regardless of the money you might spend on thermostatic radiator valves, your wallet will thank you in the long run because ultimately you will cut back on excessive energy usage to heat your home. 

Furniture and Curtains

Everyone can afford this remedy. In the winter, sunlight is man’s best friend. So, fling open your curtains and let the warmth of the sun filter into your home. At night, close your curtains again. By so doing, you will ensure that the heat accumulated throughout the day will linger longer because of the added insulation provided by curtains. A second tip to remember is to make sure that your furniture is not blocking airflow from major air vents. Blocking your vents with a couch or armchair prevents the heat from circulating throughout the entire room, and this can be detrimental to your utility bill as you continue to crank up the heat to try and make the room warm. It seems obvious, but it is surprising how many people also forget to actually open their air vents. Nothing else can make your stomach drop as much as realizing, at the end of the winter season, that you had vents in the house that were never opened.

By implementing the three options explained above, you will be able to enjoy the warmth of your home while saving money in the process.