Heating costs are the single biggest expense for most apartment renters during winter. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make some easy changes to reduce your energy usage and keep your bills in check.
For instance, you could consider renting an apartment that offers state-of-the-art insulation technology. A properly insulated apartment can save you 20-30% on your energy bill each month.
1. Turn the Thermostat Down
One of the easiest and most common ways to save on heating costs is to turn the thermostat down when you are not home. This strategy can cut your energy bill by as much as 10 percent.
While many people are hesitant to lower the thermostat because they believe that it will cause their furnace or air conditioning to work harder to catch up, this doesn’t actually happen. Rather, your heater will work less when it’s turned down, so you can save even more money over time.
To save on heating costs, you can set the temperature to 68 degrees during the day and a lower setting at night while you are asleep or away from the house. This will save a substantial amount of money in the long run, and is especially easy to do when you have a programmable thermostat.
Once you have the setting lowered, keep it on that setting until you return home. This will save you energy and help your landlord manage their finances.
Another important way to save on heating costs is to change the filter regularly. Having a dirty filter will result in your heating system working more often and costing you money in energy and maintenance bills.
Finally, you can seal up any cracks around your doors and windows with weather-stripping or caulking. This will save your tenants money and prevent cold drafts from entering the property.
If you are concerned about your energy costs and how it may affect your rental property, download PG&E’s “25 Money Saving Tips for Business” eBook or sign up for our monthly Energy Advisor for Business eNewsletter. We’re sure you’ll find some great tips that can help your business be more efficient and make money!
2. Install a Humidifier
One of the best ways to save on heating costs in an apartment is to install a humidifier. Many people have tried to use tabletop humidifiers, cans of water around the vents, and leaving bathtubs full of water, but they don’t always work as well as a whole-home unit.
Adding moisture to the air can make you feel warmer, which is important because it means you don’t have to raise your thermostat as high. This can lead to significant energy savings and a lower overall bill, especially when you factor in the fact that humidifiers can reduce static electricity throughout your home.
A humidifier is also important for your family’s health. Dry air can cause respiratory problems, allergies and skin irritation. In addition, dry air can aggravate common illnesses like the cold and flu, putting you at risk for falling sick and spending valuable time off work.
You can install a whole-house humidifier in your Winona area apartment to ensure you and your family stay healthy and comfortable all year long. Ask your River City Heating & Air Conditioning technician to install this affordable system today!
Running a humidifier can be quite expensive, however. The exact cost will depend on the size of your room and the type of humidifier you choose.
Another thing to keep in mind is the amount of time it takes to recharge a water tank. Most high-performance models have a much larger capacity, which means you can run them for longer periods of time without having to refill the tank.
Investing in a whole-home humidifier will not only save you money, it will improve your family’s health and protect your furniture, clothing and other items from damage caused by static electricity. It’s an investment you’ll be glad you made.
3. Turn Off the Lights
One of the best ways to save on heating costs in an apartment is to turn off the lights when you leave a room. This can make a big difference to your electric bill, and it also helps reduce energy usage and your carbon footprint.
Many people don’t realize that appliances and electronics still use electricity even when they’re turned off. This is called “passive energy,” and it can add up to a significant amount on your monthly bill.
This is especially true of ovens, which use a lot of energy to heat up food. In addition, turning on your television, computers, and other electronics can drain your energy as well.
Leaving your lights on when you’re away from home can increase the amount of energy that you use, and it can also lower the lifespan of your light bulbs. That’s why it’s important to only turn on incandescent or halogen lights when you’re leaving a room for 15 minutes or longer.
You can also make your house more energy efficient by installing CFL and LED lights, which use less energy than traditional incandescent or halogen light bulbs. These are much cheaper to purchase and install, and they also last a lot longer than other kinds of lighting.
Whether you’re a renter or a homeowner, you should be aware that your energy bill is a major factor in your finances. There are a number of things you can do to reduce your utility bills, including taking shorter showers, turning off your air conditioning during peak hours, and installing weather tape. These tips can all help you save money on your next utility bill, so be sure to try them out and see how they affect your bottom line!
4. Rearrange Your Furniture
A recent study by the Energy Department found that a small change to your apartment’s layout can make a big impact on your utility bill. A well-designed floor plan with strategic placement of furniture and other fixtures can reduce the amount of heat lost through your windows. Likewise, strategically placed lighting can lighten your load without the need for extra power.
The most notable part of this whole rearranging your furniture exercise is that it may be cost-free. If your landlord is a good sport, you might find that they will be happy to see your new arrangement and the savings it can mean for the entire building.
It might be a little jarring to relocate your sofa, but it’s well worth the effort in the long run. A well-designed arrangement can cut back on your heating bills and make your apartment feel like home again, not to mention give you a healthier and more pleasant place to live. It also might have you rethinking the way you use your space, which in turn could help you save money and get a bigger apartment that’s right for you.
5. Install Weather Tape
One of the best ways to save on heating costs in an apartment is to seal the cracks around your windows. This can help to reduce the amount of heat that gets lost from your apartment and it will also make your heater work more efficiently.
Weather tape is a simple solution to this problem. It can be easily purchased at local hardware stores and it does a great job of sealing windows. It is also easy to remove and does not leave any mess behind. It can also withstand high temperatures, so it will also help to keep your apartment cool during the summers as well.
Another way to save on heating costs in your apartment is by reducing the amount of heat that gets lost through the walls. This can be done by rearranging furniture that is too close to radiators or vents. Radiators radiate heat in all directions, and the wall directly behind them can absorb the warmth from these radiators, making your apartment colder than it needs to be.
You can also try installing a heat-resistant reflecting sheet to the wall behind your radiators. This will divert the heat back to the center of the room, allowing your apartment to be warmer without having to turn the thermostat down as much.
When installing weather tape, make sure that you choose a high-quality product that is designed to stick to a variety of surfaces. It is important to check the manufacturer’s data sheets for any compatibility issues that may arise. You can find this information online or at your local hardware store. This will ensure that you can make the most of your time and money.