Different times of the year provide different reasons to spend money, be it holidays or weather-related. With respect to the latter, the winter months provide a unique set of conditions that can affect our expenses in different ways.
With that in mind – and the reality that we’re in for a prolonged few months of cold weather where I’m at – I thought I’d put together a list of winter savings tips, including 10 ways to save money during the winter months. Here goes, in no particular order and top of mind:
- Open curtains on sunny days. The sunlight coming in can actually make some rooms bit warmer than they would be with windows partially covered. Let the light in, and feel the warmth. More importantly, let the sun do the work – instead of turning up the temperature in your home. South-facing windows can really help.
- Check windows and doors for drafts. This is often of particular importance in homes that are older, but can apply to most homes in general. Sometimes, we can have our expensive heating efforts somewhat negated by small leaks that bring in cold air. Weatherstripping and caulking can help take care of these efforts. Just spend a few bucks at a home improvement store, and a little bit of time, and you can solve such problems quickly.
- Lower the heat when you’re not home. When not home during the day, why not lower the thermostat by a few degrees? An empty house doesn’t care whether it’s 70 degrees or 65 degrees! Little amounts that are saved each day can add up to something measurable over longer periods of time, which can be reflected in your monthly bill. This concept of lowering the heat can also be applied overnight, as temperatures can be lower while everyone sleeps.
- Lock Santa out of the Fireplace. OK, I like good ole Santa just as much as anybody else. However, on those other time aside from Christmas Night, keep the fireplace damper shut. This is a source of heat loss for many homes. Of course you want to be careful when doing this (as in, not when a fire is going), and not everyone has a fireplace anyway. But if you do, just keep in mind that the damper can be closed, since the jolly man in the red suit won’t be appearing every day. Talk to a professional for details.
- Consider an insulation jacket for your water heater. These don’t cost much, maybe $20 or so, but can save you a small percentage of your heating costs by preventing heat loss. Like many other things, these costs can add up over the year.
- Wear layers. A great example: wearing a sweatshirt! Instead of cranking up the heat even a few degrees, throw on something warmer – maybe a sweatshirt or a heavier pair of socks. Don’t ever go to the point of being uncomfortable though. Personally, I think it’s entirely silly to suffer just to save a few bucks. But for a couple of degrees, which seems more than manageable, layering can work well.
- Be prepared for snow. Depending on where you live, you might be dealing with snow in the winter. In some places – such as where I live (Midwest) – the snow can be significant. Make sure your snow blower is working, snow shovel is handy, and that you can be ready to go if needed. Otherwise, you could waste time and money trying to get someone to do it for you. Not that outsourcing is a bad option – it can be great for many people – but do it if you want to, not if you’re forced into it due to being unprepared.
- Pay attention to insurance. Winter brings on it’s own challenges in terms of weather, and some of this is related to snow. Though we can remove it, as discussed above, we might not be able to remove all risks associated with it. Snow insurance might be a good thing to consider, depending on where you live.
- Prepare your car for winter weather. This includes checking things such as antifreeze, tire tread, wiper blades, etc. Also, keep an emergency kit in your car. More than money costs, we’re thinking of safety in this case!
- Dress for the elements. I’ve seen enough people wear light jackets or no outerwear at all in temperatures as low as the 40’s. That’s a great way to get sick, one would think! Protect yourself against the weather, and stay healthy. Besides the obvious positives of good health, you might save yourself health care costs, and also be able to get to work and be productive!
My Questions for You
Since this was list of ten, I’m sure there are other tips that could be added. Do you have any to share?
What are your favorite ways to save money during the winter months?
Making sure you’re stocked up with firewood and charcoal.
If the power goes out due to an ice storm, it’s good to have backup sources with which to cook. That includes outdoor grills and propane camping stoves.
The emergency kit in the car should include windbreakers and sweaters. We’ve used them many times, when people forgot to dress warmly for outside events.
101C – good point on backup cooking sources. Very good idea, actually. Maybe it’s good to have some peanut butter and crackers on hand at all times too:) Also, glad you brought up the emergency kit in the car. This can be essential in many parts of the US and Canada this time of year.
Changing the filter for the furnace! It also helps with allergies so I change mine several times a year. People who haven’t changed theirs in several years will be in for a nasty shock when they see how much junk can accumulate and clog up an old filter. -Sydney
Untemplater – yes, changing a filter is good idea as well. I have always liked good quality ones – they just seem to work better based on what I see visually. Would be interesting to see a study on effectiveness. Anyway, with allergies it’s probably important to change these regularly. I have liked to do it every few months.
I enjoy reading honest, practical tips. Excellent post. Being prepared, as the Scouts say, is great advice for success. Planning for snow or insurable mishaps is just a sensible way to proceed.
Hunter – thanks! Glad you liked the post, and I agree that preparation is really helpful.
My best tip is your tip #6! Dress warmly and lower that thermostat!
Moneycone – it’s a simple one!
Excellent ideas and tips and so useful for anyone who’s interested in making better decisions this time of year. I’d add: make sure you don’t fall into the trap of spending too much on Holidays. You and your family can have a great time, even if you’re not wasting all your money on useless stuff, just to keep up with the Jones’
dojo – yeah, keeping up with the Joneses is a waste, I agree on that.
I’d add just an extra note to insulating the hot water tank (which is a great idea). Touch the outside of your hot water tank before you go buy anything. If the tank is cool to the touch, the insulation isn’t going to help you because the tank is already sufficiently insulated. If it’s warm to the touch, you will gain some benefit from the wrap. One thing I would wrap in addition is the hot water lines. You’ll use a smaller proportion of hot water to bring your water temperature up to where you want it. You will also use less water overall if the hot water stays hot, because you spend less time waiting for the water in the tap to heat up.
Cassie – thanks for the additional detail!