A DEDICATED saver has several tips for those Americans looking to prevent a high heating bill this winter.
If the correct moves are taken, it should keep energy costs low and the temperatures comfortable and cozy.
Saving on energy bills this winter could be easy with the right steps (stock image)[/caption]
A savvy saver (right) has the tips to stay warm without breaking the bank[/caption]
“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” assured budgeting expert Bradley (@baddie.brad) in a recent video detailing the tricks on TikTok.
He showed the electricity bill cost for his apartment in December 2023 with the same moves, and it was only about $40, a total very good in general and also for Connecticut, which Bradley said has some of the highest energy costs of any state.
For perspective, the average electricity bill nationwide in December is around $80, according to data from Inspire Clean Energy.
Still, that number varies greatly based on location, living space size, and other factors.
Bradley still managed to cut it in half with the frugal methodology.
BLANKETS AND BLANKETS
The first move those looking to not use their heating this winter to save money should make, according to him, was to “winterize” their bed.
That means layering the bed through several blankets for added warmth.
Bradley could be seen stacking at least five blankets and two sheets, making sure he’d be kept appropriately heated.
This was especially important for the evening hours as the outside temperature dropped.
LAYERED CLOTHING
Secondly, Bradley advised that those who wanted to keep from using the HVAC system wear several layers of clothing.
This could be through hoodies, sweaters, or various outer layers, as well as warmer under-layers and socks.
Certain times of the day might require the layers more than others.
At night in bed, the blankets will make up for less clothing, so you’re not wearing sweaters to bed and waking up sweating.
LET THE SUN IN
Bradley also recommended that homeowners or renters open up their blinds this winter to let the sun in to heat the space.
Thermostat Ranges to Save Money
- Winter
- At Home: 68 degrees
- Away/Asleep: 60 to 65 degrees
- Variable depending but always seven to 10 lower than normal setting
- Summer
- At Home: 78 degrees
- Away: 85 degrees
- Asleep: 82 degrees
- Variable depending but always seven to 10 degrees higher than setting
Credit: US Department of Energy
It provides an added bit of warmth that you might not realize is helping, but it sure is.
“The sun is such a natural and free way to warm up my place, especially because I live in a small studio — it actually warms it up quite nicely,” Bradley noted in the clip.
“Shoutout to the sun, we don’t give it enough credit.”
COOKING ADVANTAGE
Those who cook a lot of meals at home can also benefit from the heat that the stovetop or oven gives off.
Leaving the appliances on for a brief period when finished cooking could help warm you up easily.
Bradley also recommended taking a hand towel and blowing the heat from the stovetop or oven around a little bit in the room.
It’s especially helpful for those living in similarly smaller spaces or studio apartments.
DRAFT AREAS/FRONT DOOR
Bradley also said he tapes up cracks in the windowsill or the bottom gap in the patio door to prevent cool drafts from blowing in from outside.
That way, all the warm air can be kept inside the space.
The savings influencer also sometimes opens the front door of his apartment into the hallway (which is heated by the complex) to let the warm air flow in for a short while.
With all these hacks, Bradley said only as a last resort does he turn on the heat, for potentially 10 minutes at a time, while blowing it around with a towel, to get the space warmer.
“That’s how I survive winters the frugal way,” he told viewers.
There are also several affordable heating gadgets you could pick up from retail giants like Walmart and Target this year to help with energy costs.
Walmart’s selling a top-rated item for under $10.
A heated blanket with multiple uses is also going for just $36.99 at Target.
