Tips to conserve energy during the cold winter months.

As fall turns into winter, energy bills become a primary financial concern for many. Due to our sporadic weather, many can find their bills hard to predict and therefore hard to budget for. While some take advantage of the equalized billing option, there are many who prefer to pay the lower bills in the warmer months and deal with higher bills in the colder months.

As some may have heard, NB Power recently requested a rate increase of 9.8% in 2024 and 2025. While they have requested 9.8%, it’s not a guarantee that it will get approved. Previous requests have been approved, but at a lower amount than initially requested. Any increase in the rates could substantially increase many households’ monthly bills and add an extra financial strain that many can not afford. To get ahead of the upcoming increases, looking at ways to lower your energy consumption could help with the larger bills. 

There are many energy efficient renovations that could be done to an older home to help conserve energy in those such as installing new windows and doors, upgrading the insulation, or upgrade to energy efficient appliances. However, this is not financially feasible for many homeowners. Many are dealing with the effects of inflation and high interest rates, setting aside any larger renovations and projects to focus on paying down debt and keeping their head above water. 

For those who are searching for some cost friendly or cost-free changes that could be made to help keep those energy bills down, see below:

1. Upgrade your lights bulbs to LED lighting - LED bulbs use up to 80% less electricity than incandescent ones and have a much longer life span.

2. Use a programmable thermostat – By using a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature in your home when you are not at home, or sleeping, it can result in energy savings. If you decide to forego the programmable thermostat, consider lowering the temperature throughout the house when going to bed in the evening or leaving for work. 

3. Check for drafts along windows and doors – Inspect your windows and doors for drafts and seal any gaps with weatherstripping or caulking. This will prevent cold air from entering your home and warm air from escaping your home. If weatherstripping and caulking won’t do the trick, consider purchasing a window insulation kit to help keep the cold drafts out. 

4. Use curtains and blinds – Keep curtains and blinds closed during the night to reduce heat loss. If within the budget, consider purchasing thermal curtains that provide insulation during the cold months. During the day, leave your curtains open to allow the sunlight in which helps naturally warm your home. 

5. Zone heating – Some of us have rooms in our homes that are not used on a regular basis like an office or a spare room. When the rooms are not being used on a regular basis, close the doors and heat only the rooms that you are using. This will help to lower your home heating costs. 

6. Hot water management – Hot water usage can take a significant toll on your energy bills. It is recommended to lower the temperature setting on your hot water heater to approximately 120 degrees Fahrenheit or 49 degrees Celsius, and limit hot water usage as much as possible. Take shorter/cooler showers, use cold water to wash your clothes, etc. 

7. Unplug electronics – Unplug any electronics when not in use. Even if a device is turned off, they still consume electricity.

In the winter months, it’s important to understand the make up of your energy bill. While it varies for every household, most home energy bills can be split into three categories – heating, hot water, and all other appliances and lighting. Approximately 50% of the energy used can be attributed to heat, 30% to hot water, and the remaining 20% to all other appliances and lighting. By having an understanding of the categories, it can help you decide what changes could be most effective in lowering your winter energy bill. 

In addition to the tips mentioned above, NB Power is a great resource for additional tips to help save on your bill. They break it down into the three different categories, heating, hot water, and all other appliances and lighting. They provide tips that come at no cost, some that are easy, and low-cost tips, and others are investments that might be worth considering in the future. Not all the tips are going to be applicable to your situation, but there are many listed that could help make a potential difference in your bill. To have a peak for yourself, visit https://www.nbpower.com/en/save-energy/tips/.

If payments toward your debt have gone on the backburner due high winter energy costs and other financial obligations, there are options. 

If you are looking for advice, or a second opinion about your debt, it does not cost anything to talk about your options. Every financial situation is unique and viable options can differ from person to person. A conversation free of judgment, is the first step to determine options for debt that make sense for you. For a free consultation, please call or text (506) 645-1814 or email jaime@tackledebt.ca; or visit www.tackledebt.ca.