5 Best Ways to Save on Utility Costs with Small Energy Home Upgrades

When winter hits, no one wants to be surprised by a sky-high energy bill. Yet for many Canadians, that’s the reality. The average household spends over $2,000 a year on energy, with heating alone making up the largest portion. The silver lining is – you don’t need a full-scale home renovation to change that.

There are plenty of small, practical fixes that can make a big impact. From choosing efficient appliances for your home to improving insulation and using smart thermostats, every simple change helps you lower electricity and heating bills while keeping your home warm and comfortable.

Before planning major upgrades like new windows or doors, start with these household energy-saving tips to help reduce your monthly costs and create a more efficient, eco-friendly home this season.

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1. Set your water heater

First, take a look at your water heater. You will want to lower the temperature of the water to the lowest setting that is still comfortably hot for you while also keeping it above 49 degrees celsius to keep bacteria from growing.

In addition, you might want to install a timer on your water heater so you can program it to turn on before you are home, and turn off when you won’t be home or won’t be using hot water, such as when you are asleep.

One of the most beneficial things you can do for your water heater is to insulate it. Adding exterior insulation to your water heater will help keep the water inside at the temperature you want, especially if your water heater is located in an unheated basement.

2. Insulate your water pipes

Turn attention to your water pipes, as they are carrying your hot water from the water heater, so you want that water to stay hot during the trip. Instead of turning the temperature up on the water heater, instead think about insulating your pipes.

You can buy pre made insulation for your pipes that is easy to install. This will help keep the water in the pipes the temperature you want when it reaches the faucet, making it one of the best ways to save on utility costs.

3. Keep your furnace running smoothly

Then look at your furnace, it is one of the largest energy consumers in your home and to keep it running efficiently you need to take care of it. This will help tremendously to save money on home heating. Make sure you change the filters in your furnace often to keep the whole unit running smoothly.

Uncleaned filters mean that the furnace will be working harder to do the same amount of work it could do with less energy when the filters are clean.

4. Consider a ceiling fan

Another relatively less expensive home improvement project you can do to help your energy bills is to add ceiling fans to your rooms. In the warmer summer months, a ceiling fan can help keep a room cool without needing to turn on your air conditioning.

Many household energy-saving tips recommend turning the ceiling fan on in a counterclockwise direction to keep the air moving, and thus keeping it cooler, when the weather is warmer outside. A ceiling fan can also help keep your energy bills down in the winter, turn it on in a clockwise direction and on the lowest setting to push the heated air back down as it rises up.

And finally…

5. Get energy efficient windows

On the other side of the scale, a larger project you can look into starting to save on your energy bills while keeping your home warm and comfortable in the winter is to look at replacing your windows with energy star rated windows.

If you have older windows chances are they are in need of replacing, especially if you are noticing leaking, excessive condensation, broken seals, warping, and drafts. Replacing your older windows with modern windows will help keep your house warm and dry in the winter, and cool in the summer.

Energy-efficient windows benefits are endless:

• lower energy bills
• better soundproofing
• comfortable operation
• increase home value
• upgraded look, etc

On average, new windows help reduce energy bills by 12% and coupled with other home renovation project the insulation of your home will skyrocket.

Smart Home Devices to Reduce Bills

Once you’ve improved insulation and upgraded key systems like your furnace, water heater, and windows, the next step is making your home smarter. Modern smart home devices help you track, control, and cut energy use automatically, saving money without sacrificing comfort.

Here are some of the most effective tools:

1. Smart thermostats. Adjust heating schedules based on occupancy and weather to reduce energy use by up to 10-15% annually.
2. Smart plugs and power strips. Cut off electricity to idle electronics that silently drain power.
3. Smart lighting systems. LED bulbs with motion sensors or timers help lower electricity bills effortlessly.
4. Energy monitoring systems. Track where your household energy goes and identify waste.
5. Smart blinds. Open and close automatically to maximize natural heat in winter and block sunlight in summer.

These small upgrades turn everyday routines into long-term energy-saving habits.

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