This article was originally featured on Rent.com
When it comes to keeping your home warm during the colder months, finding cost-effective solutions is essential. Budget heating options allow you to maintain a comfortable living space without breaking the bank.
Luckily, as Claude Davis, owner of Ask A Prepper, shares there are numerous ways to heat your home on a budget. Claude explains, “One winter, I cut my heating costs in half by sealing off unused rooms with heavy blankets and door draft stoppers. It kept the heat concentrated in the main living areas, making my wood stove much more efficient. Speaking of wood, if you’re relying on a fireplace or wood stove, don’t make the rookie mistake of burning green wood.
It burns cooler, smokes more, and gunks up your chimney fast. I also installed a small, budget-friendly heat-powered fan on my stove to push warm air further into the room without using electricity. Another budget heating trick is using thermal curtains. Closing them at night traps heat inside, while opening them during the day lets in free warmth from the sun. And if you’re really in a pinch, a DIY candle heater made with a clay pot and tea lights can take the chill off a small room.”
As you look to find more affordable heating methods for your home in Chicago, apartment in Fairbanks, or rental home at Grand Forks, this Rent article will explore various strategies that can provide warmth while keeping your costs down.
Heating professional can save you money in the long run
To avoid discomfort and higher costs down the road, it’s important to begin with a professional evaluation of your current heating situation. As Donald Wade of Pro Solutions Air Conditioning and Heating notes, “It is recommended to have your system inspected and maintained by a certified professional prior to seasonal operation, as this will save you from the hassle of a down system during the major use times.”
Ryan Mauldin from The Chill Brothers agrees with Donald and says, “Some tips to increase efficiency when heating your home during the wintertime would be to have professionals like The Chill Brothers scheduled to come out and perform a maintenance check of the HVAC system. This would include checking the heating unit to ensure that it is operating safely within manufacturer specifications and is properly sized for your home. Along with the maintenance The Chill Brothers would check for a proper level of attic insulation to assist with maintaining the temperature inside your home.”
Improving insulation and sealing to prevent heat loss
A great step in heating your home is thinking of not just heating sources but ways to keep the heat in and cold air out. As Taylor Skinner of Thelen Mechanical says, “Insulation is a big contributor to wasted energy, that and a lot of homeowners are not aware or lack of knowledge. Attics and basements, especially, can lead to cold or hot temperatures leaking through cracks and crevices. This will make for unconditional comfort in your home as well as equipment needing to work harder and longer which leads to higher energy costs.”
Speaking on an easy sealing solution, Allison from Terra Frma says, “Heating a home efficiently on a budget is all about minimizing heat loss and maximizing the use of available heat sources. To reduce heat loss, use draft stoppers. Seal gaps around doors and windows with draft stoppers or weatherstripping. This prevents warm air from escaping and cold air from entering.
Matthew, from Cool Ceiling Ideas, adds to weatherstripping. He writes, “For about $20 at your local hardware store, you can seal every drafty window and door in your house. That tiny investment stops heat from escaping like money leaking from your wallet.”
Dmytro, CEO and founder of Green Ductors suggests another budget heating hack, “Seal and insulate – the connection of the furnace to coils and the coils to the main ductwork is a major source of heat loss in the system. Using aluminum duct tape or mastic seal can save hundreds of dollars during the heating season while improving overall efficiency.”
Green Attic Insulation adds further insulation advice, stating, “Reducing heating costs while maintaining comfort is highly effective when using spray foam insulation. Unlike traditional insulation, closed-cell spray foam forms a strong air barrier that minimizes heat transfer and prevents energy loss.It offers superior thermal resistance compared to fiberglass or cellulose. It also seals gaps and cracks, reducing drafts and lowering HVAC strain, which results in long-term savings. Applying spray foam in key areas like attics, rim joists, and crawl spaces provides the best return on investment.”
Exploring affordable supplemental heating options
Sometimes the primary heating system in your home just isn’t enough. Additional heating options can provide that extra boost of warmth, ensuring comfort without relying solely on your main heating source.
Allison of Terra Frma writes on additional budget heating stating, “Rather than heating the entire house, use energy-efficient space heaters in the rooms you use most. A small, portable heater can be much cheaper than turning up the central heating. For an extra step, close unused rooms. If you’re not using a room, close the door and vents to avoid heating unnecessary spaces. This focuses the heat in the areas you use most.”
Mr. Kelly Bedrich, co-founder and president of Electricity Plans, also addresses space heaters by saying, “Space heaters, when used properly, can help cut your home heating bill. Most homes use blown or forced hot air central heating. That means you’re heating every room in your house to the same temperature. Instead, lower the thermostat a few degrees and use a space heater for the room you’re in. When sized properly (10 watts of power for every square foot), space heaters can keep you warm without overheating the whole home.”
At no additional cost, Cool Ceiling Ideas introduces a way to use your ceiling fan to promote heat. Matthew suggests, “There’s a heat multiplication hack most people miss: Your ceiling fans have a reverse switch. Flip that switch in winter, and suddenly you’re pushing trapped ceiling heat back down where you actually need it. Zero extra cost, instant results.”
A clean home helps your heating system work better on a budget
A clean, clutter-free space not only enhances the aesthetic of your home but can also improve the efficiency of your heating system. Clutter and debris can block vents, radiators, and airflow, making it harder for heat to circulate properly and forcing your heating system to work harder.
Columbia River PUD highlights the importance of keeping your heating system clean, and clutter-free. They write, “Make sure to clean or replace your furnace filter regularly. A clogged filter can reduce efficiency by 15%. You can also help your furnace’s efficiency by making sure to keep furniture, appliances, decorations, and other items from blocking your heating registers.”
Martin Sahakyan from Lowe’s Air Duct Cleaning contributes stating “Keep your filters, HVAC unit and the ductwork clean, dirty components will make your HVAC work twice as hard.”
Something simple like changing filters and not obstructing vents can make a major difference. Amy Matheny general manager of Reliability Home Services adds, “Money is tight for most people, and cutting unnecessary costs can keep more money in your pocket. First and foremost change your filter, making sure your home’s airflow is not obstructed, and your heater is not working harder than it has to. Next, clear off all the vents. Remove all furniture or anything blocking the vents, allowing improved circulation of air.”
Try anthracite as a budget heating option
Matthaus Atkinson from Leisure Line Stove Company suggests an alternative, which he calls “The Anthracite Advantage Secret.” Matthaus writes, “ Anthracite is the cleanest burning, most energy dense, and safest solid alternate fuel for your home.
Unlike wood and wood pellet stoves, anthracite-burning stoves are exempt from EPA regulation and do not require EPA testing. It is not popular to heat with fossil fuels, but let’s face it; a large portion of our current electric capacity, home heating, and product production comes from fossil fuels. As technology advances, we will someday not use it in our daily lives, but for now, it is a fact of everyday life. Why not consider the anthracite advantage and heat your home for less?”
Wrapping up: budget heating tips
As you look for ways to keep your home warm during the colder months, these budget heating options allow you to maintain a comfortable living space without breaking the bank. It’s important to try out all of these options to see what makes the difference in your home and provide you with the best comfort possible.
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