Winter can be a magical time. Full of holidays and the high spirits that accompany them, winter has a lot of good things to offer. Unfortunately, between holidays and cold weather, expenses can run high as well. One of the expenses you might find skyrocketing out of control during the winter is your electric bill. Here are some things you can do to keep it under control.

Install Efficient Appliances

Winter usually means spending more time at home. Spending more time at home means that you’re using your home’s electrical system more than you otherwise would. This puts greater demands on the use of your electrical appliances and light bulbs. Installing energy efficient light bulbs and appliances can help you reduce the amount of energy you use. For even greater savings, make sure you turn the lights off when you leave the room and unplug any unused electronics.

Improve Heating Efficiency

Heating a home and the water you use takes a decent amount of energy. This translates to a higher electric bill each month. Taking steps to improve your heating efficiency can help you reduce your bill. Make sure you keep up on your HVAC maintenance. There’s no point in heating rooms that aren’t occupied or a house with no one in it, so turn off the heat when it isn’t needed. You can use a remote app to control your thermostat when you’re away for extended periods of time. Consider insulating your water heater. If it doesn’t take as much energy to heat and maintain the water temperature, it won’t cost you as much.

Reduce Your Heat Loss

Because heating makes up the largest portion of the energy bill, taking steps to reduce your heat loss can be a great way to save money. You can lose a lot of heat through windows. To combat this, use insulated windows. Keep them covered with thick curtains and make sure the sealing around the frames is intact. The same goes for doors, especially those to the outside. If your doorframe has cracks or if your weather stripping isn’t in good condition, you could be letting cold air in.

If you’re concerned about your electric bill getting too expensive this winter, there are things you can do to help reduce the cost. By taking action now, you can help keep yourself from getting hit with an exorbitantly expensive electric bill.

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