Three Easy Ways to Cut Your Heating Bill this Winter

Falling temperatures = rising heating bills. These three DIY projects can lower your monthly bill and help conserve energy. 

• Install a programmable thermostat so you can set up a schedule that lowers the temperature when you’re away from home or sleeping, and increases temperatures to a cozy level when you’re home or awake.


• Up your home’s relative humidity. Dry air tends to feel colder—in fact, 68 degrees at 40% relative humidity feels just as warm as 74 degrees at 20% humidity. Running a humidifier will make the air in your home feel warmer (and it’s good for your skin and sinuses, too). The EPA recommends a relative humidity level between 30% and 60%; any higher, and you increase the risk of mold. Use a freestanding portable humidifier to humidify one or two rooms, or add a whole-home humidifier to your HVAC system.


• Seal heating Consumer Reports found that 25% to 40% of conditioned air is lost because of leaks. Wrapping ductwork with Frost King Foam and Foil Duct Insulation is an easy DIY project that can help slash heat loss and make sure the air you pay to heat makes it to cold rooms.