10 Tips for Saving Energy in Winter

Waste, lack of maintenance, or poor habits… When it comes to energy consumption, it may be necessary to rethink how we use energy, especially at a time in which energy prices are rising. But energy conservation isn’t just about the bills. Reducing our consumption is also an important aspect of how we can all play our part in combating climate change.

Whether you're a host or a guest, HomeExchange offers an overview of eco-friendly practices to adopt this winter, which will help you and your exchange partner save energy and ensure more sustainable travels.

Our Top Tips for Reducing Your Energy Consumption This Winter

1. Adjust Your Heating

When it comes to heating, every degree counts! Lowering the temperature by just 1°C can reduce energy consumption by 7%. We recommend adjusting each room’s temperature based on outdoor conditions and room usage. For instance, 19°C is ideal for an occupied room, while 16°C is sufficient when you're away during the day.

At night, you can also set the heating to 16°C. To ensure you stay warm (and to keep guests comfortable during exchanges), consider investing in a warm winter duvet.

Does your home still feel cold at 19°C? This can happen in damp or poorly-insulated homes. In that case, you may need to look into some simple renovation solutions to improve insulation.

2. Install a Programmable Thermostat

To easily adjust the temperature in each room based on specific needs (like absences or day/night schedules), consider installing a smart or manually programmable thermostat. Using this type of thermostat can save up to 25% of energy annually.

If your home is electrically heated, you might choose connected thermostats. These thermostats, controllable remotely, are equipped with sensors that measure each room's temperature and humidity, providing ideal comfort without energy waste. These innovative solutions help you save on electricity bills while also reducing your carbon footprint.

3. Properly Maintain Your Heating System

You should service your boiler every year to ensure your safety, enhance the longevity of your appliance and reduce your energy consumption. A well-maintained boiler that functions properly consumes 8 to 12% less on average. This advice applies to all combustion boilers, whether gas, oil, or wood-fired.

4. Install a Supplemental Wood Heating System

Wood stoves that use logs or pellets consume less energy for heating, saving up to 60% of energy with pellets, and 80% with logs. However, if they're used incorrectly, they can contribute to air pollution.

To optimize energy efficiency, it is recommended to choose a modern stove. In addition to significant electricity savings, stoves instantly create a warm and inviting atmosphere in the room.

5. Prevent Heat Escaping from Your Home

Here are some simple actions to keep the heat in your home, and consume less electricity:

• During the day, open all curtains to take advantage of natural light without having to turn on your lights.
• At night, make sure you close all shutters and curtains to retain heat and avoid drafts.
• Close the doors to rooms that are not being heated.
• Install a draft stopper at the bottom of your front door.
• Heating is more efficient and faster when the air in the room is dry, so ventilate the rooms for 10 minutes per day, with all heaters turned off. This small eco-friendly action is enough to refresh the air without cooling the walls.

6. Adjust the Heating When You Are Away

If you're away for two or more days, it may be worthwhile to activate the "frost protection"mode in your heating. This corresponds to a minimum temperature of 7°C: as the name suggests, it prevents freezing, but does not protect against the cold. This is particularly useful for **well-insulated homes. **However, in poorly-insulated homes, the energy spent heating the house upon your return may be counterproductive. In such cases, it's better to rely on the recommended nighttime temperatures.

7. Reduce Hot Water Consumption

You can make significant savings by setting your water heater temperature between 55 and 60°C. This temperature is ideal for preventing the growth of harmful bacteria, while ensuring the water is hot enough for your comfort.

To reduce your hot water consumption, also consider installing flow regulators on taps and in the shower, and avoid taking baths as much as possible. Showers (as long as they aren't too long!) use much less water than baths.

8. Use the "Eco" Mode on Your Appliances

This simple action can make a big difference. The "eco" program on your washing machine and/or dishwasher is not only environmentally-friendly, but also economical! During an "eco" cycle, the water is heated to a lower temperature (and it’s heating the water that consumes the most electricity).

On average, the "eco" program of a dishwasher uses up to 45% less electricity than an intensive program. The same applies to washing machines: with a 30°C cycle, you can save up to 50% of electricity.

It's also recommended to avoid running your appliances if they are not fully loaded, and to not use your tumble dryer unnecessarily, as it remains one of the most energy-consuming household appliances. Finally, to save energy, we suggest using your appliances during off-peak hours whenever possible.

9. Avoid Small Energy Wastes

This is about paying attention to the small actions that we are usually taught from a young age, but often forget, such as turning off the lights when leaving a room, or fully powering-down electronic devices instead of leaving them on standby. These actions can help you save up to 10% of electricity annually (excluding hot water and heating).

Other eco-friendly practices can also be implemented: if you have a ventilation system, clean the grids (this ensures healthier air and optimal heating efficiency). You could also invest in LED lights, cook more efficiently (for example, by covering pots for faster cooking, avoiding opening the oven door too often etc.), and switch to responsible digital practices (such as activating energy-saving modes, and deleting any emails that you don’t need).

10. Wear Extra Clothing

This may seem (too) obvious, but many households members don't always think about it, as the reflex to increase the heating temperature is deeply ingrained. However, dressing appropriately for the season’s temperatures is often enough to stay warm while limiting energy consumption. Consider wearing warm woolen socks, fleece jackets, thermal underwear and slippers. In addition to being comfortable, these clothes add a cozy touch that we happily associate with the winter season.

Home Exchanging from the Host’s Side: Communication is Key

Among the values that are important to the HomeExchange community are respect, transparency, and communication. Good communication between hosts and guests is often enough to avoid high bills (and protect the environment!)

As a host, consider creating a small welcome guide where you can provide tips and instructions regarding energy consumption management in your home. You can include details such as off-peak hours, the ideal temperature for each room to stay comfortable without excessive consumption, and the most energy-hungry appliances to use in moderation.

As a Guest: Best Practices to Follow

As a guest, take the time to read any recommendations in the welcome guide (if there is one). In any case, don’t hesitate to ask any necessary questions, especially if you're not familiar with the heating system or if the home's insulation seems different to yours.

In general, the best approach is to act as if you were paying the electricity bill, and apply the same eco-friendly practices as you would at home, to promote energy conservation. If needed, feel free to refer to our tips above. Because even on vacation, protecting the planet is just as important!

Do you want to join the HomeExchange community in our commitment to becoming responsible travelers? Sign our pledge!