Are you tired of throwing money towards your electric bill every month, and looking for some ways to save on heating this winter? Staples Insurance has you covered! Many homeowners and renters expect inflated utility bills during the colder months, but just because you know it’s coming doesn’t make it hurt any less when you write out that check.

The good news? There are plenty of simple tips and tricks that can make your home’s gas or electric heating more efficient. Check out our top five ways to save on heating this winter.

1. Maintain Your Doors and Windows
When is the last time that you checked out the weather-stripping on your doors and windows, and checked them for drafts? Ill-fitting doors and windows allow the heat inside your home to drift outdoors and blows the cool weather in on a windy day. Replacing and updating your weather stripping as needed, adjusting thresholds, and other quick fixes can help you make sure that no cold air is getting through the gaps.

2. Open and Close the Curtains
A little bit of sunlight can mean everything on a cold winter day. All you have to do is be sure to open your curtains when the sun is shining. When the sun sets, close the curtains back up to help retain heat collected by the sun during the day.

3. Check Your Attic Insulation
Do you have an attic or crawlspace above your home? All attics should have a minimum amount of insulation. Without it, you’ll be losing heat through the upper levels of your home. If you need to upgrade or replace your insulation, be sure to seal up any cracks or openings first!

4. Close Vents
Do you have spaces in your house that aren’t frequently used? Rooms that don’t need to be heated can be sealed off via the furnace vent. This redirects the heat to areas of the home that you use every day, optimizing your heating.

5. Turn Your Water Heater Down
Are you a hot-shower lover? We get it, but one of the best ways to save on heat during the winter months is to turn your hot water heater down! Manually reducing your water heater’s temperature can save you money in water heating costs. Cutting shower times down can also help you save.

Bonus Tip: Turn On Your Ceiling Fan
Many homeowners and renters turn their ceiling fans on in the summer, and off during the winter months. We know that hot air rises, but did you know that keeping your fan running clockwise will push any warm air that’s collected at your ceiling, back down into your room?

Don’t forget, while you’re testing your windows and doors for drafts, and optimizing your home for the winter, it’s also a great time to schedule your annual insurance review!

Insurance is not a one-time-buy that you can set and forget. Just like you go to the doctor for a yearly check-up, you should be checking up on your insurance to monitor and keep an eye on everything. Catching problems or gaps early is better than finding out later on.

Ready to schedule your annual insurance review? Contact a trusted agent today to review your current insurance policies, and how changes made to your home can qualify you for an adjustment.