7 Ways to Lower Your Heating Bill This Winter
Quick Reference
- Biggest single fix: Programmable thermostat. Up to 10% savings per year per the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Free fix: Move furniture away from radiators and vents.
- Underrated fix: A humidifier. Humid air feels warmer at a lower temperature.
- Outdoor fix: A windbreak (fence, hedge, or evergreens) on the north side of the house.
- Sneaky fix: A chimney balloon to stop heat going up an unused fireplace.
Is your home (and your budget) ready for winter? You probably know the basics: caulk, weather stripping, attic insulation. There are several more ways to lower your heating bill that most homeowners miss. The Almanac has tested the seven below in the cold-climate U.S. and Canada. Each is practical, most are inexpensive, and combined they can shave 20 to 30 percent off a typical winter heating bill.
1. Use a Humidifier
Humid air holds and feels warmer than dry air at the same temperature. A whole-room humidifier raising indoor humidity from 20% to 40% can make 68°F feel like 72°F. That’s 4 degrees of comfort without burning extra fuel. As a bonus, humidified air is easier on the sinuses, the wood furniture, and houseplants.
2. Move Your Couch and Other Furniture
Sitting in front of a fireplace, wood stove, or radiator feels great. Placing the couch directly in front of one blocks the warm air from circulating to the rest of the room. Pull furniture at least three feet back. Group seating so the warm air can sweep across and around the space. Same applies to vents and baseboards: never park furniture directly over a forced-air register.
3. Get a Programmable Thermostat
The single biggest fix on this list. Don’t shut the heat off when no one is home, but program the thermostat to drop 7 to 10 degrees during your daily away hours and during sleep. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this single change can save up to 10% a year on heating costs. A programmable thermostat costs $30 to $80 and usually pays for itself in one winter.
Smart thermostats (Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell T-Series) add remote control, humidity tracking, and filter alerts. They typically cost $130 to $250 and pay back within 1 to 2 winters in cold climates.
4. Install a Windbreak Outside
Wind chill drives heat loss through walls and windows. A windbreak (structural or botanical) on the north and northwest sides of the house blocks low-level wind gusts and redirects them up and over the roof. It also prevents snow drifts from piling against the foundation. Options:
- A solid privacy fence (cedar, vinyl, or composite)
- A lattice trellis with climbing perennials
- A line of evergreens (spruce, fir, arborvitae)
- A double row of hedges
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends planting windbreak trees a distance equal to 2 to 5 times the tree’s mature height from the home. For shrubs, leave at least one foot of growing room between the mature plant and the house wall.
5. Get a Heated Ceiling Fan (or Reverse Your Existing One)
Most homeowners know the trick of reversing the ceiling fan direction in winter (clockwise on slow, viewed from below) so it pulls air up, displacing warm air down the walls and into the room. A newer option: install a fan with a built-in ceramic heating element. These hybrid fans add gentle radiant heat in high-ceilinged or hard-to-heat rooms, delaying the central heating system from kicking on. Even the conventional reverse-direction trick can shave 2 to 5 percent off heating costs in a two-story home.
6. Use a Chimney Balloon
An unused chimney is one of the largest heat-loss holes in a typical home. An inflatable chimney balloon or fireplace plug seals the flue when the fireplace is not in use. Both block downdrafts and stop heated indoor air from going up the chimney. Available at home improvement stores for $30 to $80. Remember to remove the balloon before lighting any fire.
7. Get a Home Energy Audit
A professional home energy audit uses thermal imaging, blower-door tests, and combustion-safety checks to locate every spot where your house is losing heat or energy. Many state utility companies will provide one free or at low cost. The Residential Energy Service Network maintains a directory of certified professional energy assessors. Audits typically run $200 to $500 and the recommended fixes often pay back within two heating seasons.
Quick Cost and Savings Summary
| Fix | Up-front cost | Typical winter savings |
|---|---|---|
| Programmable thermostat | $30 to $80 | Up to 10% |
| Humidifier | $50 to $200 | ~3 to 5% |
| Move furniture off vents | $0 | ~2 to 4% |
| Reverse ceiling fan | $0 | ~2 to 5% |
| Chimney balloon | $30 to $80 | ~5 to 10% (with fireplace) |
| Windbreak planting | $200 to $1,500 | ~10 to 15% over 5 years |
| Home energy audit | $200 to $500 (often free) | 15 to 30% with follow-up fixes |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the single biggest way to lower a heating bill?
A programmable thermostat set to drop 7 to 10 degrees during sleep and away hours. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates up to 10% annual heating savings. It is also the cheapest single upgrade with the fastest payback.
Does a humidifier actually save heating costs?
Yes. Humid air feels warmer than dry air at the same temperature. Raising indoor humidity from 20% to 40% can make 68°F feel like 72°F, letting you keep the thermostat lower without losing comfort.
Should I close vents in unused rooms?
No, despite the common myth. Closing vents in modern forced-air systems increases pressure in the ductwork, makes the furnace work harder, and can damage the blower or cause duct leakage. Close interior doors instead.
How does a chimney balloon work?
A chimney balloon is an inflatable bladder that seals the flue when the fireplace is not in use. It blocks downdrafts and stops warm indoor air from escaping up the chimney. Remove the balloon before any fire.
What is the ideal direction for a ceiling fan in winter?
Clockwise when viewed from below, on low speed. This pulls air up and pushes warmer ceiling air gently down the walls. The result is more even room temperature without a noticeable draft.
Can a windbreak really lower the heating bill?
Yes, over several winters. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates a well-placed windbreak can cut heating costs by 10 to 15% in a windy climate. The savings build as the trees or hedges mature.
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Deborah Tukua
Deborah Tukua is a natural living, healthy lifestyle writer and author of 7 non-fiction books, including Pearls of Garden Wisdom: Time-Saving Tips and Techniques from a Country Home, Pearls of Country Wisdom: Hints from a Small Town on Keeping Garden and Home, and Naturally Sweet Blender Treats. Tukua has been a writer for the Farmers' Almanac since 2004.
- Deborah Tukua
- Deborah Tukua
- Deborah Tukua
- Deborah Tukua
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