Tips to Save Money with Energy Efficiency This Winter

Winter is approaching and while increased energy use during the colder months is expected, keeping your home warm, bright and cozy doesn’t have to stretch your budget.

From AHFC’s department of Research and Rural Development, here are a few simple ways to increase home comfort while saving energy and money.

Gather Information

Look at your energy bill each month and compare it to past bills. Knowing how much energy your household consumes can help you to make informed decisions when you are considering larger home upgrades.

Here are a few other steps you can take:

• Walk through your home and list the items that remain constantly on and in use.
• Track how often you run the dishwasher and do laundry in a week. Are there opportunities to improve efficiency?
• If you aren’t sure how your home is operating as a system or are wondering about heat loss, drafts, ventilation and other concerns, hire an authorized energy rater. Knowing how your home operates and where there is room for improvement can be the first step toward a more efficient, healthy, affordable home.

Heating

Efficient heating practices will vary depending on your home heating system, but here are some best practices to get you started:

• Program your thermostat - Save money by reducing the heat while you are sleeping or away from home (while maintaining a temperature that is comfortable for any pets!)
• Maintain your chimney - If you have a fireplace, hire a certified chimney sweep to inspect and service it. Regularly clean the flue vent of wood-burning heaters. If you don’t use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.
• Annual maintenance - Hire a professional technician to service your home’s heat pump each year. Replace furnace filters at least every six months.

Taking these simple steps now can help you to save money and increase comfort during the colder months ahead.

Lighting

In Alaska, about 15% of energy usage goes toward lighting and appliances. Here are a few ways to reduce that expense:

• Switch to energy efficient bulbs - Replace the bulbs you use most often, starting with any light used more than two hours per day.
• Use timers and sensors - Always turn off lights when they are not in use. Prone to forgetting? Set up timers and occupancy sensors that automatically turn off lights when they are not being used.
• Phantom power - Your electronics draw energy even when they are off. Plug electronics like tvs, audio systems and video game consoles into a power strip. Flip the switch off when you are not using the electronics.

Looking for More?

Review Energy Saving Tips for Alaskans for room-by-room information on improving energy efficiency, safety and home comfort.

If you’re considering a bigger purchase like a new appliance or heating system, check that you are investing in an energy efficient product that will be more affordable in the long term.

For more information on energy ratings, weatherization, home upgrades and more, visit ahfc.us/efficiency.

​​​For more tips on preparing your home for winter, review this Fall Home Maintenance Checklist.