1. Upgrade to a smart thermostat

Smart thermostats such as the Nest will learn the rhythms of your energy usage patterns and set your temperature to how you like it. As the seasons change, the thermostat will fine-tune your schedule to help you save even more in the winter months. An independent study was conducted that showed the smart thermostat saved homeowners an average of 10-15% more on their heating and cooling bills each year. Learn more about how you can save each season with this seasonal savings report.

When you meet with a representative from ION Solar, ask about receiving a bonus Nest thermostat and LED lightbulbs. When you switch to solar, we highly recommend the Nest Thermostat and LED light bulbs for added efficiency.

2. Use your ceiling fan to circulate air

Run your ceiling fan on low and counterclockwise in the winter. This will help circulate warm air throughout the room by pulling warm air up in the center of the room and pushing it out to the edges. Doing this will spread the warm air throughout your home, keeping it warmer and making it so your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard.

With the smart thermostat, you can set your heating and cooling unit to turn off when you’re not home. However, most ceiling fans don’t have that feature; you’ll have to make sure you turn your ceiling fan when you leave your house to save energy.

3. Lower your thermostat

Setting your thermostat to a lower temperature while you are asleep can lead to major savings. Bundling up in the winter will help you be able to keep your thermostat lower — keeping your energy bills under control.

You can also try lowering the thermostat on your water heater. A good rule of thumb is if you aren’t turning your temperature close to as far is it will go to get hot water then your heater is probably set to a higher temperature than it needs to be.

4. Use LED holiday lights

Traditional lightbulbs waste a great deal of energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED light bulbs last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use up to 75 percent less energy. Everyone enjoys Christmas lights around the holiday season and by using LED lights your electric bills won’t skyrocket.

In addition to being more efficient and environmentally friendly, LED bulbs are also safer. They don’t get hot to the touch, making it safer to use on trees, wreaths, and garlands.

5. Seal air leaks

Use weather-stripping materials and caulking to seal up leaks around door frames and windows. Doing this will prevent cold air from seeping in and from letting cold air out.

Approximately 10-25% of your home’s heat loss is due to your windows. Be sure to close your curtains and shades as the sun goes down and keep them open on south-facing windows during the day to allow the sunlight to heat your home.