Home Heating: 10 Ways to Reduce Costs This Winter

Given our harsh winter, a decent heating system is a must-have to reap the benefits of a warm, comfortable home. However, as you're probably well aware since the day you paid your first utility bill, a cozy dwelling isn’t cheap.

While heating will, unfortunately, never be free, there are many ways to lower costs. How can you go about cutting your heating expenses this winter? Keep reading to find out!

How Can I Reduce My Heating Bill? 10 Effective Tips and Equipment Options

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1) Draft-proof your home

It's not for nothing that this is the first item on our list. Indeed, drafts are probably your pocketbook’s number one enemy as soon as the temperature drops, especially since air leaks can come from just about anywhere. To eliminate drafts, start by doing a walk-through of your house, inspecting all potential draft points:

• Attic access hatch

• Floorboard and wall gaps

• Door and window frames

• Electrical outlets

• Exhaust fans (bathroom and kitchen)

• Exterior-leading pipe inlets

• Mail slot

• HVAC duct edges

• Foundation (if cracked)

• Chimney damper

• Garage door

If you detect drafts from one or many of the areas listed above, the repair work needed can vary from caulking work to replacing window weatherstripping or door sweeps. Over time, caulk or draft stoppers are likely to get damaged and need replacement, no matter if installed under a front door or garage door, cat flap, or mail slot. In some cases, you can fix the issue permanently by fully sealing the installation.

What about air leaks from air exhaust valves? Straightforward maintenance will ensure that they shut properly, preventing all undesirable cold air from seeping in. Also, stuff the inside of your electrical outlets and light switches with insulation material and close your chimney’s damper when not in use. Check if the damper is still waterproof.

As for drafts seeping through the foundation walls, use a layer of glass wool insulation to seal any gaps or cracks. If you haven’t already done so, spray foam insulation behind the door and window frames. Note that windows can also be covered with a clear shrink film when the cold weather sets in.

2) Replace windows and doors with energy-efficient solutions

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If your house is old, you may need to replace your windows and doors with newer, more energy-efficient models like ENERGY STAR to optimize your heating-related savings. Without a doubt, doing so is a significant investment, but one that can cut your heating costs by 50%, making this improvement very worthwhile!

3) Opt for smart thermostats

If you still have a mechanical thermostat, it may be worth replacing it with a smart thermostat. Given that the latter has a far more consistent temperature setting compared to its counterpart (more or less half a degree precision, instead of 2–5 degrees Celsius), you can benefit from a constant temperature, year-round.

Moreover, opting for a programmable model allows you to lower the temperature when away from the home, further optimizing your savings. Additionally, note that replacing a mechanical thermostat with a cost-effective programmable or smart thermostat means cutting your annual heating bill by 10%. Rather worthwhile, don’t you think?

4) Monitor the temperature in your home

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Once nestled under your comforter, do you really need the temperature inside your home to be as high as it is throughout the day? Probably not! As such, make sure to turn down your heat to 16–18 degrees when you’re snoozing away. Do the same for rooms that aren’t frequently used, during the day time too. 

You can also lower your heating slightly below that setting if you’re careful about closing doors to prevent the cold air from said rooms from filtering through the rest of the house. As Hydro-Québec underlines, lowering the temperature to 15 degrees Celcius is rather effective.

Along the same line, consider lowering the temperature by three degrees when you leave for work or run errands for a few hours. Note that by doing so religiously, you can save 4–5% on your heating bill. Also, if you turn down the set temperature by a degree or two, you'll save even more money.

5) Reduce your hot water use

Since most people tend to use a lot of hot water daily, it goes without saying that reducing usage is a surefire way to cut costs. There are a few tips and tricks to get there, such as repairing leaky faucets to prevent uselessly wasting heated water. Next, consider insulating your pipes if they’re made of copper. Do you have a habit of running your dishwasher, despite it being half-empty? Wait until it’s full. 

Then, consider installing a low-flow showerhead—such a device uses between 3.8 to 9.5 litres of water per minute instead of 14 litres like standard showerheads. Lastly, wash your clothes in cold water rather than hot water, and if you have a habit of boiling water on the stove top, get yourself an electric kettle instead.

6) Change or clean heat pump or furnace filter

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Switching out your old furnace or heat pump filter for a new one, or cleaning it thoroughly, is an essential proactive step to ensure your heating system isn’t working overtime to adequately heat your home. Follow the manufacturer-issued instructions, and note that checking on the state of filters every month is highly recommended. Want more information about heat pump care and maintenance? Check out our article How to Maintain a Heat Pump.

7) Clear the space around hot air vents and radiators

This little trick serves a dual purpose: it’s efficient and free! Avoid blocking airways and radiators with furniture. It’s as simple as that. And there you have, you just saved a few more dollars by year’s end!

8) Open blinds and curtains during daytime and close them at night

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Although easy to overlook, opening your curtains or blinds during the daytime can help regulate the temperature inside your house. Hence, keeping them open during the day will allow the sun's rays to seep through, naturally heating individual rooms, while keeping your blinds shut at night prevents the chilly air from cooling your house.

Looking to buy blinds? 

We recommend Quebec-based company StoresBoutique.ca: Custom-made blinds, sought-after products, but above all else, the best warranties for a stress-free purchase.

9) Get a residential condensing boiler

Is your home equipped with a gas- or oil-fired boiler? Replacing it with a condensing boiler allows you to benefit from a better yield, and since condensing boilers use less fuel, you can cut your energy use by roughly 30%.

10) Keep your doors open if you have a wood-burning stove

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Love a good wood-burning stove? Keep all interior doors open to spread its heat throughout your home. This improves heat distribution, reducing the need for additional heating sources.

FAQ

How can I keep a poorly insulated house warm?

Several affordable options exist for keeping a poorly insulated home warm during the winter months, such as hanging thermal curtains, affixing draft stoppers to the bottom of your entry doors and the garage door, and covering windows with plastic window seals. Moreover, if your budget allows for it, consider a ductless mini-split system, which works great for both heating and cooling purposes.

What is the cheapest way to heat a house in Canada?

Some of the most cost-effective ways of keeping your house warm during the heating season include space heaters, fireplaces, electric furnaces, smart thermostats, and proper insulation material.