How to Lower Your Heating Bill This Winter

Last updated November 6, 2026

To lower your heating bill, turn the thermostat down 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day. That simple change can cut heating costs by up to 10 percent a year. Sealing drafts and servicing your furnace can save even more.

This guide shares 12 practical ways to stay warm for less this winter.

Savings depend on your home, climate and energy prices. The figures here are estimates.

Key Takeaways

• Homes heated by electricity may pay about 4 percent more this winter.
• Natural gas homes may pay about 9 percent less than last winter.
• Lowering the thermostat while you sleep or work can save up to 10 percent a year.
• Sealing air leaks and adding insulation stop heat from escaping.
• A yearly furnace check keeps your system safe and efficient.

On This Page

• What Heating Will Cost This Winter
• Smart Thermostat Habits
• Stop Drafts and Air Leaks
• Keep Your Heating System Healthy
• Use the Sun and Your Curtains
• Low-Cost Ways to Stay Warm
• Help With Heating Bills

What Heating Will Cost This Winter

Your costs depend on how you heat your home. The United States Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its winter forecast in October.

About 46 percent of homes in the United States use natural gas for heat. Many others rely on electricity.

A colder winter than expected would push these costs higher. So it pays to cut waste now.

Smart Thermostat Habits

Your thermostat is your biggest money saver. Small changes add up fast.

1. Set It Lower When You Are Home

The Department of Energy’s Energy Saver program suggests starting around 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Then go as low as feels comfortable.

A sweater and warm socks make a cooler room feel cozy.

2. Turn It Down at Night and When You Leave

Lower the thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for at least 8 hours a day. The Energy Saver program says this can save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling.

Bedtime and work hours are the easiest times to do this.

See what a lower thermostat could mean for your budget. Savings are up to 10 percent and vary by home.

3. Use a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

A programmable thermostat changes the temperature for you. As a result, you never forget to turn it down.

Smart models can learn your routine. Many also let you adjust the heat from your phone.

Stop Drafts and Air Leaks

Warm air slips out through tiny gaps. Sealing them is cheap and quick.

4. Find the Leaks

On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick near windows, doors and outlets. If the smoke moves sideways, you have a draft.

5. Seal Windows and Doors

Use weatherstripping around doors and windows. Then fill small gaps with caulk.

A door draft stopper at the bottom of an outside door also helps.

6. Check Your Insulation

Attics often lose the most heat. If you can see the tops of the floor beams, you may need more insulation.

Adding insulation costs more upfront. However, it can pay for itself over several winters.

Keep Your Heating System Healthy

A well-kept system uses less energy and lasts longer.

7. Replace the Furnace Filter

A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder. Check it every month in winter and replace it when it looks gray.

8. Schedule a Yearly Tune-Up

A technician can clean parts and spot problems early. A tune-up also checks for carbon monoxide leaks.

9. Keep Vents Clear

Furniture and rugs can block air vents. Move them so warm air can flow freely around the room.

Use the Sun and Your Curtains

The sun is free heat. Use it wisely.

10. Open Curtains During the Day

Let sunlight warm rooms that face south. Then close the curtains at night to hold in the heat.

Thick or thermal curtains work best for keeping warmth inside.

Low-Cost Ways to Stay Warm

You can also warm yourself instead of the whole house.

11. Layer Up

Wear layers, slippers and a warm hat at home. Use a heavy blanket on the couch and bed.

12. Use Space Heaters Carefully

A space heater can warm one room while the rest of the house stays cooler. However, use it only with care.

Keep it at least 3 feet from anything that can burn. Never leave it on while you sleep or leave the room.

Use this calculator to estimate your possible savings.

Help With Heating Bills

If heating costs feel out of reach, help is available.

First, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible families pay energy bills. Contact your state or local agency to apply.

Next, ask your utility about budget billing. This spreads your costs evenly across the year.

Also, many utilities offer free or low-cost home energy checks. These visits can find the biggest leaks in your home.

• Set the thermostat to 68 degrees or lower when home
• Program a nightly setback of 7 to 10 degrees
• Seal drafty windows and doors
• Replace the furnace filter
• Book a furnace tune-up
• Open south-facing curtains on sunny days

Get Help Paying Heating Bills

Heating costs can be hard to manage for many families. Help is available if you are struggling to pay.

Call your utility company before you fall behind. Many offer payment plans, budget billing or hardship programs.

Local charities and community groups may also help with energy bills during winter. Ask early, because funding can run out.

Heating Safety Tips

Staying warm should never put your family at risk. A few simple steps can prevent fires and other dangers.

• Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn.
• Plug space heaters straight into a wall outlet, not an extension cord.
• Turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms every month.
• Never use an oven or a grill to heat your home.

Have a professional inspect your furnace or boiler once a year. A safe system also runs more efficiently.

Make a Winter Heating Plan

A simple plan helps you control costs before the coldest months arrive. It also prevents surprise bills.

1. Look at last winter’s bills to see your highest months.
2. Set a monthly budget for heating and stick to it.
3. Ask your utility company about budget billing to spread costs evenly.
4. Schedule a heating checkup before the first cold snap.
5. Write down simple habits your family will follow each day.

Share the plan with everyone at home. Small actions add up when the whole family takes part.

Saving Tips for Renters

You can still lower your bill even if you do not own your home. Many fixes are cheap and easy to remove later.

Use removable window film to reduce heat loss through glass. Place draft stoppers at the bottom of doors.

Ask your landlord to fix leaky windows or old weather stripping. Many landlords will help because it protects their property.

Close doors and vents in rooms you rarely use. Thick rugs on bare floors can also make rooms feel warmer.

Track Your Progress

Checking your energy use helps you see which habits work. Many utility companies show daily use in their apps.

Compare your bill to the same month last year. Weather changes from year to year, so look at the overall trend.

Celebrate small wins with your family. Saving even a little each month adds up over a full winter.

Every small fix adds up to real savings over a long winter.

Ask about weatherization programs in your area too. Some programs help seal drafts and improve insulation for families who qualify.

Test Yourself

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature should I set my thermostat in winter?

Start around 68 to 70 degrees when you are home and awake. Lower it 7 to 10 degrees when you sleep or leave.

Is it cheaper to leave the heat on all day?

Usually not. Turning the heat down while you are away or asleep saves energy for most homes.

Do space heaters save money?

They can if you heat only one room and lower the main thermostat. Use them safely and never leave them unattended.

Why is my heating bill higher this year?

Prices vary by fuel. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects electricity and heating oil costs to rise this winter.

Wrapping Up

Start tonight by lowering your thermostat a few degrees before bed. Then seal one drafty window or door this weekend.

Looking for more ways to save? Read our year-end money moves.

Shopping for a smart thermostat? Our Black Friday 2026 guide shows the best days to buy.

Editor’s Note

This guide is accurate as of November 6, 2026. Energy prices and savings vary by region and home. Check with your utility for local rates and programs.

Spot an error in this article? Please contact us at support@digieh.com or read our Corrections Policy.

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