Energy bills can rise sharply in winter and summer, and they are hard to predict. The good news is that many low-cost and no-cost changes can trim your bills. Just keep safety in mind: older adults are more vulnerable to both cold and heat.
Heating and cooling
Heating and cooling are usually the largest part of a home's energy use.
- Use your thermostat wisely. The US Department of Energy notes that turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling. For older adults, the best time to do this is usually at night under warm blankets, or when you are away.
- Stay safe. The National Institute on Aging advises older adults to keep their homes at 68°F or warmer in winter, because older bodies lose heat faster and hypothermia can develop indoors. In summer, use fans and air conditioning to keep cool during heat waves. See staying safe in hot weather.
- Change or clean furnace filters regularly, usually every one to three months.
- Have your heating system serviced before winter.
- Use window coverings. Open curtains on sunny winter days and close them at night. In summer, close blinds during the hottest hours.
- Use ceiling fans. In summer, set them to turn counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.
Seal drafts
- Add weatherstripping around doors and windows.
- Use caulk to seal gaps around window frames and pipes.
- Put a draft stopper at the bottom of drafty doors.
- Close the fireplace damper when it is not in use.
Lighting and appliances
- Switch to LED bulbs. They use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last much longer.
- Unplug devices you rarely use, or use a power strip you can switch off.
- Wash clothes in cold water and run full loads of laundry and dishes.
- Set your water heater to 120°F. It saves energy and reduces the risk of scalding.
- Keep refrigerator coils clean and the door seals tight.
Water
- Fix dripping faucets and running toilets.
- Install low-flow showerheads, which are inexpensive and easy to fit.
Talk to your utility company
- Budget billing spreads your yearly energy costs into equal monthly payments, so winter bills are less of a shock.
- Payment plans can help if you fall behind. Call before your bill is overdue.
- Discounts and assistance programs for older adults, people with disabilities or people with low incomes are offered by many utilities.
- Free or low-cost home energy audits can show where your home is losing energy.
- Medical certificates: if someone in your home depends on electrically powered medical equipment, ask about protections against shutoffs.
Get help with energy costs
- LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, helps eligible households pay heating and cooling bills. See help with heating and cooling bills through LIHEAP.
- The Weatherization Assistance Program can pay for insulation, air sealing and other improvements for eligible households. See weatherization assistance.
Phone and internet
Review your phone, internet and TV plans once a year. You may be paying for services you do not use. Ask about plans for customers 55 and older, and see whether you qualify for the federal Lifeline discount. See Lifeline.
