10 Home Heating Tips to Help You Save Energy This Winter

Key Takeaways

• Lowering your thermostat when you are asleep or away can reduce heating energy use without affecting your daily comfort.
• Sealing air leaks and improving insulation helps keep warm air inside and reduces the work your heating system needs to do.
• Annual heating system maintenance supports efficient operation, reliable performance and household safety.
• Keeping radiators, vents and air filters clear helps distribute warmth throughout your home.
• Preparing your home before winter can help control energy costs and prevent avoidable heating problems.

Keeping your home warm during a Rhode Island winter can use a significant amount of energy. As temperatures fall, your heating system works harder to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. This can lead to higher heating bills, especially in older homes with poor insulation or outdated equipment.

Fortunately, there are practical ways to save heat energy without making your home uncomfortable. Small changes to your daily habits, combined with proper maintenance, can help you use less fuel and get better performance from your heating system.

Whether you use heating oil, propane or another heating source, these ten home heating tips will help you prepare for the colder months.

Why Saving Heating Energy Matters During Winter

Heating is one of the largest energy expenses for American homeowners. According to the US Department of Energy, home heating accounts for approximately 30% of the average household's utility bill.

In colder areas such as Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts, heating demand can be particularly high during winter.

When heat escapes through windows, doors, walls or poorly insulated spaces, your heating equipment must work harder to replace it.

Improving heating efficiency can help you:

• Reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
• Manage your monthly heating expenses.
• Maintain more consistent indoor temperatures.
• Reduce wear on heating equipment.
• Keep your home comfortable throughout winter.

The following tips explain ways to save heat energy in winter, including simple changes you can make today and improvements that may require professional assistance.

1. Set Your Thermostat to an Energy-Efficient Temperature

One of the easiest ways to reduce heating energy use is to adjust your thermostat.

During winter, consider setting your thermostat to around 68°F (20°C) while you are awake and at home, provided this keeps everyone comfortable.

You may be able to lower the temperature slightly when sleeping or spending several hours away.

How to Adjust Your Thermostat

• Choose a comfortable temperature rather than turning the heating up unnecessarily.
• Lower the setting when your household is away for extended periods.
• Avoid frequent large temperature changes.
• Keep the home warm enough to protect plumbing and meet household health needs.

The right temperature depends on your insulation, heating equipment and personal needs.

For more guidance on choosing comfortable and efficient temperatures, read our article on the best thermostat settings for winter.

For homes with heat pumps or slower heating systems, ask a heating professional about suitable thermostat settings before making large adjustments.

2. Use a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to create a heating schedule based on your daily routine.

Instead of manually changing the temperature throughout the day, you can program it to reduce heating when less warmth is needed.

According to ENERGY STAR, certified smart thermostats save approximately 8% on heating and cooling bills on average.

The US Department of Energy also estimates that suitable households can save up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by reducing their normal thermostat setting by 7°F to 10°F for eight hours a day.

Benefits of Smart Thermostats

• Automatically adjust heating temperatures.
• Create daily and weekly schedules.
• Monitor heating usage on compatible models.
• Reduce unnecessary heating while you are away.
• Improve control over indoor comfort.

Not all thermostats work with every heating system. Before purchasing one, confirm compatibility with your furnace, boiler or heat pump.

3. Seal Air Leaks Around Windows and Doors

Cold air entering your home can cause uncomfortable draughts and increase heating demand.

Common problem areas include window frames, exterior doors, attic openings and gaps around pipes.

Sealing these openings helps prevent warm indoor air from escaping and cold outdoor air from entering.

Simple Ways to Reduce Draughts

• Install weatherstripping around exterior doors.
• Apply suitable caulking around stationary window frames.
• Add door sweeps where appropriate.
• Check attic access panels for gaps.
• Inspect openings around cables and plumbing.

Pay particular attention to rooms that feel colder than the rest of the house.

However, never block vents or openings required for combustion air or appliance ventilation. Have a professional assess any gaps near fuel-burning equipment.

4. Improve Your Home's Insulation

Insulation helps slow heat transfer between your home and the outdoors.

Without adequate insulation, warm air can escape through the attic, walls and floors, even when your heating system is working properly.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR programme, homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs by combining air sealing with appropriate insulation improvements.

Actual savings vary depending on the property and existing insulation.

Areas Worth Checking

• Attic: Heat can escape through poorly insulated attic spaces.
• Basement: Exposed rim joists and other gaps can allow cold air into the home.
• Exterior walls: Insulation helps maintain indoor temperatures.
• Floors above unheated spaces: Insulation can reduce heat loss and improve comfort.

An insulation professional can assess these areas and recommend suitable improvements.

5. Use Curtains and Natural Sunlight to Retain Warmth

Your windows can influence how much heating energy your home needs.

During sunny winter days, sunlight entering through windows can provide some natural warmth.

At night, windows can become a source of heat loss.

You can manage this by changing how you use curtains and blinds.

Practical Window Heating Tips

• Open curtains on sunny, south-facing windows during the day.
• Close curtains when the sun goes down.
• Use well-fitted curtains to help reduce heat loss.
• Avoid covering radiators or heating vents with heavy curtains.
• Check that windows close and seal properly.

These changes require little effort and can complement your home's insulation and heating system.

6. Schedule Annual Heating System Maintenance

A heating system that has not been maintained may use more energy than necessary.

Over time, dirt, worn components and incorrect adjustments can affect how efficiently a furnace or boiler operates.

An annual professional inspection helps identify these problems before they become more serious.

What Does Heating Maintenance Include?

Depending on the equipment, a technician may:

• Inspect and clean heating components.
• Check the burner and combustion performance.
• Examine safety and operating controls.
• Inspect vents and other accessible components.
• Identify worn or damaged parts.
• Recommend repairs or efficiency improvements.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission also recommends annual professional inspections of fuel-burning heating systems, including chimneys and vents.

If you want to get your equipment ready before temperatures drop, our guide to preparing your heating system for winter explains additional steps homeowners can take to maintain reliable heating.

T.H. Malloy & Sons provides heating system maintenance and inspections for homeowners throughout Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts.

Scheduling service before the coldest weather arrives can help you identify issues early and keep your heating system operating reliably.

7. Replace Air Filters When Needed

If your home uses a forced-air heating system, keeping its air filter clean is important.

Dirty filters restrict airflow, making it more difficult for your system to distribute warm air.

Restricted airflow can increase energy consumption and place additional strain on equipment.

According to ENERGY STAR, homeowners should check heating system filters monthly during periods of heavy use and replace them when dirty, or at least every three months where applicable.

Air Filter Maintenance Checklist

• Check the filter regularly during winter.
• Follow the equipment manufacturer's replacement instructions.
• Use the correct filter size and specification.
• Make sure the filter is fitted properly.
• Contact a technician if airflow remains weak after replacement.

Not all heating systems use replaceable air filters. For example, many hot-water boiler systems distribute heat through radiators or baseboard heaters instead of forced-air vents.

8. Keep Radiators and Heating Vents Clear

Even an efficient heating system can struggle to warm your home when furniture or household items block heat distribution.

For example, a sofa positioned directly in front of a radiator may limit how effectively warmth spreads through the room.

Similarly, blocked supply or return air vents can affect airflow in forced-air systems.

How to Improve Heat Distribution

• Move furniture away from radiators and heating vents.
• Keep curtains from covering heat outlets.
• Remove dust from accessible radiator surfaces.
• Make sure return air vents are unobstructed.
• Check whether individual rooms are heating evenly.

Avoid closing multiple air vents to reduce heating costs unless your system is designed for this. Doing so may cause airflow and pressure problems.

If some rooms remain much colder than others, a heating technician can check the system for circulation or distribution issues.

9. Check Your Ductwork for Heat Loss

For homes with forced-air heating, ductwork carries warm air from the furnace to different rooms.

If ducts have loose connections, gaps or damaged insulation, some of that warmth may escape into spaces that do not need heating.

The US Department of Energy estimates that approximately 20% to 30% of the air moving through a typical home's duct system can be lost because of leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts.

This makes ductwork an important area to inspect when looking for ways to save heat energy.

Signs of Potential Duct Problems

• Some rooms receive noticeably less warm air.
• Heating costs increase without an obvious reason.
• You notice disconnected or damaged duct sections.
• The furnace runs frequently but rooms remain uncomfortable.

A qualified professional can inspect accessible ductwork and recommend sealing or insulation where needed.

This tip mainly applies to forced-air systems rather than homes heated entirely by hot-water radiators.

10. Consider a Home Energy Assessment and Heating Upgrade

If your heating bills remain high despite making improvements, your home may need a more detailed assessment.

A professional home energy assessment can help identify where energy is being wasted.

Depending on the assessment, this may include checking insulation, locating air leaks and reviewing heating equipment.

When Should You Consider Upgrading?

You may want to discuss replacement options if:

• Your heating system is ageing and requires frequent repairs.
• Heating performance has become inconsistent.
• Your equipment struggles to maintain comfortable temperatures.
• A technician identifies significant efficiency problems.
• Repairs are becoming increasingly expensive.

Newer, high-efficiency heating equipment may use less energy than older systems, but actual savings depend on the existing equipment, fuel type, installation and household usage.

T.H. Malloy provides professional home heating services, including heating equipment maintenance and system upgrades. Our team can help homeowners assess suitable heating options for their properties.

Which Home Heating Improvements Should You Prioritize?

You do not need to complete every improvement at once. Start with practical changes that suit your home and budget.

If you are unsure where to begin, have your heating system inspected and address obvious draughts before considering major equipment changes.

For households that rely on heating oil, understanding heating oil pricing can also help with seasonal budgeting. Reviewing available pricing options alongside energy-saving improvements can make winter heating expenses easier to plan.

Prepare Your Heating Oil Supply Before Winter

Energy efficiency is only one part of preparing for the colder months. Homeowners who rely on heating oil should also make sure their fuel supply is managed properly.

Running low on heating oil can interrupt home heating, particularly during periods of heavy winter demand.

Regularly checking your tank level and arranging deliveries in advance can help avoid unexpected shortages.

How Long Will Your Heating Oil Last?

Your heating oil consumption depends on several factors, including:

• The size and insulation of your home.
• Outdoor winter temperatures.
• Your thermostat settings.
• The efficiency of your heating system.
• How frequently your heating equipment operates.

If you are estimating your winter fuel needs, understanding how long 100 gallons of heating oil will last can help you plan deliveries and monitor your consumption.

T.H. Malloy offers automatic heating oil delivery and tank monitoring for eligible customers throughout its service area.

Although automatic delivery does not directly reduce the amount of heating energy your home uses, it can help maintain a dependable fuel supply.

For homeowners looking to plan ahead, T.H. Malloy also offers heating service plans and support for maintaining equipment.

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient This Winter

Finding effective ways to save heat energy in winter does not always require expensive renovations or major changes to your routine.

Adjusting your thermostat, improving insulation, reducing draughts and maintaining your heating equipment can all contribute to better energy efficiency.

For homeowners in Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts, preparing before temperatures drop is an important part of maintaining reliable heating throughout winter.

Since 1935, T.H. Malloy & Sons, Inc. has provided heating oil delivery and home heating services to local families. Our team can help you review your heating equipment, schedule maintenance and prepare your fuel supply for the season.

Prepare Your Home with T.H. Malloy. Contact our team to schedule a heating system inspection or discuss your home heating needs before winter arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions About Saving Heating Energy

What is the best way to save heating energy in winter?

Start by adjusting your thermostat, sealing air leaks and maintaining your heating system. These steps can help reduce unnecessary energy use while keeping your home comfortable. The most effective improvements will depend on your home's insulation, heating equipment and energy consumption.

Does lowering the thermostat really save energy?

Yes. Lowering your thermostat for suitable periods can reduce the amount of energy needed for heating. However, savings depend on your equipment and how long the lower setting is maintained. Avoid temperatures that could put household members or plumbing at risk.

How often should I service my home heating system?

Most home heating systems should receive professional maintenance at least once a year. Annual servicing helps identify worn components, improve system performance and address potential safety issues before winter.

Can better insulation reduce heating oil consumption?

Yes. Proper insulation and air sealing can reduce how much heat your home loses. When less heat escapes, an oil-fired heating system may not need to run as often to maintain the desired indoor temperature.

Should I replace my heating system to save energy?

Not necessarily. If your existing system is working properly, maintenance and home insulation improvements may be more practical starting points. If the system is old, inefficient or frequently needs repairs, a professional can help compare upgrade options and potential operating costs.

‍