Winter is here, and with it comes higher heating bills. If you’re looking for winter energy saving tips for a cheaper holiday season, you’re in the right place. These easy strategies can help reduce your energy costs. And if you're still short on cash, a payday loan could help you cover urgent winter expenses.
Let’s look at how to save energy and how a payday loan might help you through the season.
Winter Energy-Saving Tips That Save You Money
1. Set A Schedule Reflective Of Your Habits
Arguably the most effective approach among our winter energy-saving tips is investing in a programmable or smart thermostat. Now more than ever there are more affordable thermostat brands, and all let you program your heating responsibly.
You can set an on/off and temperature level each day that’s reflective of when you’re sleeping, at work, or on vacation. You can even program it to start warming up right before you get back home, and experiment with lower heating temperatures.
The United States Department of Energy says that setting your thermostat between 7 and 10 degrees lower during winter saves about 10% a year on a heating bill.
2. Check For Drafts And Air Seal Your Home
Air sealing and draft prevention are among the most inexpensive winter energy-saving tips. Caulk cracks to stop drafts, or weatherstrip window sashes and the door itself.
While drafts are common with windows and doors, air leaking culprits include basements, attics, and even electrical outlets.
3. Stay Warm On Your Own
Heating is a must for most homes, but by keeping the thermostat on low and then dressing warmly in a sweater or your favorite socks or keeping comfy under a heavier blanket or comforter you’ll save cash by not cranking the heat up every time it’s very chilly outside. Winter energy-saving tips are even better when they’re easy like this one, right?
4. Open And Close Drapes
Speaking of simple winter energy savings tips, letting the sun in through windows can quickly heat a room. Closing the drapes at night slows heat loss and prevents drafts.
5. Check Out Your Water Heater
Water heaters use a large amount of energy, and it may be wasting energy since most people tend to set the temperature too high. Consider lowering the temperature — water heaters run 24/7 so it constantly cycles on and off — to a more affordable and efficient 120 degrees.
Adding a hot water heater blanket that wraps around the tank also acts as insulation, so it runs less frequently.
6. Consider Space Heaters
A good space heater is more than up to the challenge of heating a room to your specific needs, especially if what you really need is to heat a small room and want to avoid paying the price of heating up unused spaces at the same time.
Space heaters are also good for heating spaces you are using for a limited amount of time, such as when you’re working on a project in the garage or organizing an attic.
7. Unplug Electronics
That microwave, printer, desktop computer, and video game console you keep plugged in at all times? They draw out energy even when they’re not being used. Unplug and enjoy the savings.
8. Use LED Light Bulbs
If you remain dedicated to incandescent or CFL lights, you’ll be shocked by how much you’ll save if you switch to LED. They’re more expensive up front, but they are extremely energy-efficient, using 75% less energy and lasting 25 times longer, which means they end up saving you a lot more money in the long run.
Still Struggling With Winter Bills?
While these winter energy-saving tips can help lower your bills, you may still face challenges in covering them. If you're struggling with energy bills this winter, payday loans for holidays are an option to consider. These loans are fast and easy to apply for, with funds available to cover urgent bills.
How To Qualify For A Payday Loan
In addition to being at least 18 years old, you will need a blank check from an active checking account in your name, your most recent pay stub, and a driver’s license or state-issued ID.
As for the process, it can be fully completed in less than a day. All you need to do to start the process is to fill out and submit our online payday loan form.
After a few minutes, a loan representative will call you to review the required documents and help you through the rest of the process, step by step. Once you are approved, you would receive your money on the same day or the following business day.
Start Saving Today
Applying these energy-saving tips will help you reduce your holiday energy bills. However, if you're still facing financial pressure, winter payday loans can provide the short-term cash flow needed to manage your expenses. Fill out our online application to find out if you qualify today.
Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.
