If your heating bills seem insane this year, you’re not imagining it. Across the U.S., the cost to heat a home this winter is projected to climb roughly 7.6% compared with last year, with households that rely on electric heat facing some of the steepest increases (about 10% higher than before).
All the more reason to winterize your home this year. The problem is, many upgrades advised come with price tags most households simply cannot justify right now. That’s why this blog post focuses on cheaper but still highly effective upgrades that will not only help lower your energy bills, but protect your equipment and prevent expensive problems down the road. Oh, and make your home much more comfy and pleasant to be in this winter.
Start With The Air You’re Losing
Most homes don’t feel cold because the furnace can’t keep up. Sure, that can be a problem, too, but for the vast majority of households, the issue lies in drafts. When stacked up, they can create big issues as they allow warm air to slip out through many points: window trims, door frames, attic hatches, and basement rim joists.
And they waste more heat than most people expect. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air leaks can account for 30% or more of a home’s heating loss. Let’s repeat this again: 30%! That is anything but small.
The good news is, you can fix drafts easily. And no, you don’t need a blower door test to find the worst offenders. A cold, windy day does the work for you. Run your hand along suspect areas to feel the air. Then seal everything with intention: a few tubes of caulk, weatherstripping that fits, and a proper door sweep. Small fixes, big payoff. You’re likely to feel the immediate difference the same evening.
A Furnace Check Before Winter Decides For You
Breakdowns tend to arrive on the coldest nights. This is why you want a pre-season diagnostic: it will catch smaller problems while fixes are still manageable.
In Colorado, you can schedule this with trusted furnace repair services like Heart Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric, to make sure your system is ready for winter. You’ll also gain in efficiency, which you’ll see reflected in your monthly bills.
Ceiling Fans Still Matter In Winter
Fans don’t heat air, but they move it and you can use that to actually make your home warmer. Flip the switch so the blades rotate clockwise at a low speed; this will pull warm air down from the ceiling instead of letting it linger where no one benefits.
In rooms with higher ceilings, this alone can smooth out temperature swings so well that you won’t have to crank the thermostat.
Filters, thermostats, and the unglamorous stuff
A dirty or clogged HVAC filter makes your system work harder than it should, which shortens equipment life and increases energy use. Swapping filters regularly is one of the cheapest efficiency upgrades you’ll ever make.
Thermostat schedules deserve the same no-nonsense treatment. Tighten setbacks when you sleep or step out. Even a modest adjustment—one or two degrees—adds up over months of runtime. According to the EPA, smart scheduling can reduce heating costs by about 10% annually. That’s real money, not theoretical savings.
Safety Checks That Aren’t Optional
Carbon monoxide detectors belong on every level of the home and near sleeping areas, and you should test them before winter starts. Also, replace batteries annually, just in case. And check smoke alarms at the same time.
This is also where DIY has a clear boundary. Gas odors, electrical issues, cracked heat exchangers, or repeated CO alerts mean it’s time to step back and call a professional. Saving money never outranks safety.
