1. Seal Up Drafts and Air Leaks

One of the easiest ways to improve your home’s efficiency is by sealing areas where warm air escapes. Drafts often form around older windows, loose door frames, or gaps near vents and plumbing.

Start with a quick check around your windows and exterior doors. Use caulking, weather stripping, or door sweeps to close up any gaps. Don’t forget to close your chimney damper when it’s not in use, and inspect attics or crawl spaces for hidden air leaks. Every little gap can make a big difference in your heating costs.

2. Improve Insulation Where It Counts

Better insulation means better heat retention. Many homes—especially older ones—have insulation gaps in key areas like attics, walls, and floors. Since heat rises, the attic is often the biggest source of heat loss in winter. Adding insulation here can quickly improve your home’s warmth and efficiency.

Even smaller fixes matter. Wrapping hot water pipes and sealing gaps around recessed lighting or outlets can reduce heat loss and help your HVAC system run less often.

3. Install a Programmable Thermostat

If you’re still using a manual thermostat, switching to a programmable version is an easy upgrade that pays off quickly. You can set it to lower the temperature while you’re sleeping or away and automatically warm the house before you return—so you stay comfortable without wasting energy.

Lowering your thermostat by just 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day could save up to 10 percent annually on heating costs. It’s a small habit that adds up fast.

4. Go Solar This Winter

Winter is a great time to take a closer look at long-term energy solutions. Installing solar panels gives you control over your utility costs and shields you from rising rates. Plus, federal tax credits and California-based incentives can significantly reduce your upfront investment.

Pairing solar panels with a battery system allows you to store energy from sunnier months and use it during winter peaks or outages. It’s a smart move for resilience, savings, and peace of mind.

5. Turn Down the Water Heater

Your water heater works 24/7, even when no one’s using hot water. Reducing the temperature setting from 140°F to 120°F can save up to 5 percent on energy use, and you probably won’t even notice a difference in performance.

This simple adjustment helps prevent standby heat loss and lowers the risk of overheating, while still providing enough hot water for your household needs.

6. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Lighting

If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, now’s the time to upgrade. LEDs use a fraction of the energy and last years longer, cutting both electricity use and replacement costs. They also generate less heat, which matters more when you’re trying to keep your home warm.

For added efficiency, consider motion sensors or timers in low-traffic rooms so lights only stay on when needed.