We independently check everything that we recommend. We may earn commissions when you purchase through our links.学到更多>学到更多> Узнать больше > Learn more >
Heating your home may cost more this winter, and with oil, gas and electricity prices expected to rise in the coming months, millions of Americans are sure to be looking for ways to save money.
While smart light bulbs, low-flow showerheads, smart thermostats, and other energy-efficient devices can help cut utility bills, changing a few daily habits can also lower utility bills—from a few dollars a month to hundreds of dollars a year. requires a small initial investment. You might be asked by a loved one to turn off the lights when you leave the room, but here are some other painless (and often free) tips from the Wirecutter experts that can reduce your monthly bill.
Don’t leave windows untouched! A Department of Energy study found that “75 percent of residential curtains stay in the same position every day,” meaning a missed opportunity to keep the home warm and harness the sun’s heat. Make it a habit to open your curtains in the morning (especially if they’re in direct sunlight) to let in as much sunlight as possible into your home, says John Chase, editor of our smart home article. Close curtains and blinds in the evening to keep warm.
Regularly removing dirt, dust, and grime from window panes is an easy way to let in more light (and therefore more heat) throughout the day.
Applying sealants around door frames or replacing old, cracked, or improperly hung windows can improve your home’s thermal insulation, but it can be expensive and time-consuming. We recommend two-hole blackout curtains as an easy way to insulate windows, but if you want to use cheap ways to get the job done, that’s fine too. Staff writer and Bostonian Tom Dunn recommends a “classic New England trick”: use a hair dryer to shrink plastic film over window crevices. Senior Staff Writer Rachel Wharton stuffs folded towels or blankets on window sills and under doors.
Who can forget to wash the windows while cleaning the house? (Probably most people.) John notes that regularly removing dirt, dust, and grime from window panes is an easy way to let in more light (and therefore more heat) throughout the day. Another seasonal job not to be missed: remove window screens before spring; some evidence suggests they can block a lot of passive solar heat from entering your home.
“If you already have small appliances like ovens, deep fryers, rice cookers, or electric pressure cookers like the Instant Pot, consider using them for specific tasks instead of large electric ovens or stovetops,” says Marilyn Ong, Editor-in-Chief of The Kitchen . Report. “For example, reheating food in the oven rather than the entire oven avoids preheating all the extra space. Cooking over low heat in a pressure cooker for an hour uses less electricity than cooking for many hours on a stove” (compared to a gas stove or Energy Saving harder to measure than for ovens because the relative cost of the two energy sources varies by region.) The Department of Energy says that convection ovens and toasters use “one-third to one-half of the energy”, they recommend “using microwaves”. whenever possible”, as well as boiling water with electric kettles, noting that this makes the job “quicker and less energy intensive” than if your appliances were doing the job of a giant water heater.
The infrared technology in heaters is designed to heat people and objects, not spaces, so they are best used for on-site treatment, such as heating a well-ventilated home office.
“They work best when aimed at one or two people in a small area,” says Tom, co-author of our guide to the best heaters. “Position the heater so that it points directly at you and close the door to keep the warm air inside.”
However, Tom advises not running heaters during the day due to their cost — nonprofit utility service Silicon Valley Power estimates that using a heater only during business hours can add $30 to $30 to your monthly energy bill. use this along with window insulation, solar heat, and an extra layer of clothing, for no more than a few hours at a time. If you really feel the need to heat a large space for an extended period of time, consider an oil-filled radiator heater that heats the room with gradually radiated heat that persists even after the heater is turned off. Tom also notes that many heaters these days come with timers so they turn off automatically, which can save you money and, more importantly, keep you safe.
The next time you’re near a water heater, take a couple of minutes to check and reset the temperature. “Water heaters are usually set to very high temperatures: 140°F and sometimes higher,” John explains. “The faucet then lowers the temperature of the water before it is sent to your various fixtures. Anything 120°F or higher will burn you” (bath water is typically around 100°F). manually lower the temperature yourself, thereby saving the intermediate. Keeping the temperature around or just above 120°F will still give you “a lot of hot water,” he adds, “but you’ll save a lot of money.”
According to the Department of Energy, this adjustment could save a household more than $400 a year in daily water heating costs, as well as an additional $36 to $61 a year in “standby heat loss.” John says, “It’s really a double game. You save money by not heating the water stored in the hot water tank – up to $30 a month for every 10 degrees the water temperature drops.” save money by not heating the water used by all your appliances and appliances: dishwashers and laundries, and of course bathtubs and showers.” take temperature step by step and indicate some health issues such as respiratory or immune system problems, it may be more appropriate for some families to keep the temperature at 140°F.)
Switching your washing machine from hot to warm water can cut your clothes’ energy use in half, according to the Department of Energy, and cold or warm water is almost always better for washing clothes. “Hot water generally works better on soiled laundry than cold, but it can also damage fabrics over time, especially high-performance fabrics,” explains Ingrid Skjong, Editor-in-Chief of our Home Appliances team. “The cold usually does its job.”
If your home is heated with forced air, the vacuum cleaner cover is usually located on the floor or along baseboards and can become clogged with dirt or pet hair over time. Improved airflow prevents warm air from entering the vent so it can get where you really need it. You can vacuum the air intake cover with a handheld vacuum cleaner or the hose attachment on a floor vacuum cleaner, whichever is easier for you.
Shivering in bed is a downright unpleasant experience, but faster air (60 to 67°F) actually helps lower your core (or core) temperature, which is part of the body’s natural sleep cycle. In fact, lowering core body temperature helps you fall asleep faster. If you have forced air, dropping your thermostat seven to ten degrees from its normal setting for eight hours each night can cut your heating bills by about 10 percent, according to the Department of Energy. (But if you have electric baseboard heating, steam heating, radiant heating, or a heat pump, the feds note, resetting the thermostat may not save you money.)
No matter what kind of heating you use, we recommend using bedding instead of a thermostat for comfort. Consider adding an extra sheet, duvet, or duvet made from natural, breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen, or wool to your bed. If your feet get cold before bed, wool or cotton socks are another great way to keep warm while lowering your core temperature; they provide blood flow (in other words, heat) to the surface of the skin, moving it away from the skin. your core.
Your mom is right, you should only wear a sweater, but keep it where you actually use it so you don’t overheat on the spur of the moment. Sweatshirts and sweatshirts that would normally lie on a chest of drawers can be hung on a home office chair or near the front door when you get home, and blankets that have been sitting in a wishing closet all summer can be hung on a sofa or in folds. elegantly in your favorite reading nook. Think of it as a way to truly embrace winter by wrapping yourself up in something extra cozy.
Whole-home energy monitors can help save money on your energy bill, but you may find there are easier options.
It’s easy to say you’ll be more energy efficient, but smart home devices can help you save water, electricity, and money before you know it.
A smart Wi-Fi thermostat can put your climate control system on autopilot, making it easier for many homeowners to manage and save some money.
Wirecutter is the New York Times product recommendation service. Our correspondents combine independent research with (sometimes) over-testing to save people time, energy and money in their buying decisions. Whether you’re looking for a great product or want some great advice, we’ll help you get it right (first time).