It's getting colder and colder outside. I had to start removing my woolen sweater and plush socks. Check out our tips to learn how to reduce the energy wasted in heating houses this winter.

Starting Employee: Bachelor of 2021, with honors, George Washington University

Arielle created digital content and communications for Environment America’s program, focusing on attracting people to participate in the transition to 100% renewable energy through the “Millions for 100% Renewable Energy” project. Arielle is from central New Jersey. She likes exploring the outdoors, participating in live dance performances and listening frantically to real crime podcasts.

It started to get cold outside. I already feel a gust of air in my apartment. The hardwood floor seemed to have stolen all the warmth from my feet, and it was troublesome to push the quilt away and climb out of the bed due to the early morning cold. 

In the past week, the average temperature in Washington has dropped sharply. As a result, I hid my winter clothes. I am now wearing my wool sweater and plush socks to avoid turning on the heater prematurely. I don't want to remind myself of this, but it will only get colder in the next few months. 

The latest US Energy Report predicts that due to rising energy prices and possibly colder than usual seasons, we will spend more this winter to heat houses.

This means that now is a good time to revisit the proven and reliable method, you can reduce energy waste, reduce pollution and save monthly utility bills. All of these tips come from the Citizen Energy Efficiency Guidelines of the Center for Environmental Research and Policy in the United States. 

Step 1: Insulate your attic because "baby, it's cold outside"

You can take a range of measures to improve the comfort of your home and the price of energy bills. The most important of these is to ensure that your living space is properly insulated. 

According to data from the government-supported energy efficiency label Energy Star, 9 out of 10 U.S. homes are under-insulated-and your home may be one of them. Insulation helps reduce the flow of heat in and out of your home and can do a lot of heavy work to keep your house warm in winter. 

If you have an attic in your home, insulation is particularly important. As the heat rises, just spread unfaced insulation on the floor of the attic, and you can be sure that the hot air will mainly stay in your living space instead of immediately escaping upwards. 

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that those who invest in insulating crawl spaces, attics, and basements can save up to 15% on heating and cooling costs.

Step 2: Seal your doors and windows

Windows are usually regarded as a bonus, allowing natural light to enter and appreciate the outside world. But they also provide opportunities for heat leakage in your home. The door is also a passage, comfortable, "just right" air can easily escape, let your living space ventilate and cool.

Some simple repairs to vent windows and doors include caulking and weather strips. Caulking is usually used for cracks in fixed elements (such as window frames), while weather strips are best used to seal moving parts, such as the window itself. You don’t need to hire a professional unless you want to, because this can be done as a DIY project. For more information on the types of caulking and weather strips and how to apply them effectively, please check the U.S. Department of Energy website. 

You can also cover the windows with plastic film to keep the heat where it should be. The kit can be found online or at your local hardware store. Just put the plastic film on the leaking window and use a hair dryer to blow hot air to seal it in place. 

Approximately 20% of the air passing through a typical household plumbing system will be lost due to leaks and holes, so solving the problem of air leakage as much as possible makes a big difference to keeping warm throughout the winter.

If the idea of ​​using plastic or weather strips on the windows is too far beyond your comfort zone, hanging heavy curtains can do a good job in preventing the cold from nasty ventilation windows.

Step 3: Switch to full electric

If your gas heating and cooling system is nearing completion, it's time to use electricity. Powering home appliances and heating systems will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our dependence on fossil fuels, and will also improve the air quality in your home.

This is why the U.S. Department of the Environment is launching a campaign for the tax rebate program proposed at the state and federal levels, which will make it more affordable and easier for Americans to use electrical appliances and heating systems. 

If you are curious about the process of using electricity, Johanna Neumann, senior director of the 100% Renewable Energy Campaign at the U.S. Department of Environment, wrote an in-depth blog detailing her family's experience in installing heat pumps to power heating systems.

If you want to know more ways to save energy, please check our citizen guide to reducing energy waste. It's time for us to take responsibility and do everything we can to reduce waste and save. Keep warm outside!

Starting Employee: Bachelor of 2021, with honors, George Washington University

Arielle created digital content and communications for Environment America’s program, focusing on attracting people to participate in the transition to 100% renewable energy through the “Millions for 100% Renewable Energy” project. Arielle is from central New Jersey. She likes exploring the outdoors, participating in live dance performances and listening frantically to real crime podcasts.

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