13 Reasons Your Heating Bill Is Higher Than Normal This Winter

If you live somewhere cold, you are used to your utility bills increasing as temperatures drop. Unless you heat your home exclusively with a wood fire, you can expect to pay a high price to keep your home warm and cozy in the winter. While a higher utility bill is common in the winter, it shouldn’t shock you when you read your monthly bill. 

An outdated heating system, poor insulation, and a faulty thermostat are common reasons your electric bill is higher than normal. If your heating bill is unusually high, you should check for drafts and cracks in your home and ensure your air filters are clean. Increased utility prices can cause your energy bill to skyrocket. A particularly cold winter and increased time spent at home can also contribute to higher heating bills.

If your heating bill is higher than normal, you need to find the cause of this increase as soon as possible. While some contributing factors are beyond your control, you can fix many problems to immediately lower your heating bill. If you’re sick of paying an outrageously high heating bill, keep reading to find why your monthly bill is higher than normal.

13 Reasons Your Winter Heating Bill Is Higher Than Normal

1. An Outdated Heating System

An outdated heating system can often increase your heating bill. Old heaters aren’t nearly as efficient as many modern energy-saving models. Older systems are also prone to problems, including leaks. If you have an old heating system and notice a sharp increase in your electric bill, you should investigate further. There’s a chance you can repair your system so it can work more effectively. A new heating system is costly, but over the years, you can save thousands on your monthly electric bill. It might be a worthwhile investment if you can’t fix your current heater.

2. Cracks In Your Home

If your home can’t trap heat, then your heater will have to work hard constantly to maintain a comfortable temperature. If your home is drafty or has small cracks in the walls, don't be surprised when your heating bill is high. As soon as you receive a suspiciously high energy bill in the winter, you should immediately inspect your home for vulnerabilities. Seal any cracks with caulk and ensure your windows are shut properly. Once you seal your home, you should notice a decrease in your monthly bill.

3. Poor Insulation

If your heating bill is outrageous, there’s a possibility your home's insulation (or lack of it) is to blame. Insulation is something many homeowners take for granted and often neglect to check regularly. You should update your home’s insulation every 10 years or so and thoroughly inspect your home’s insulation every one to three years. If your heating bill is high, immediately take a look at your home’s insulation. Identify vulnerabilities and implement improvements as needed.

4. Particularly Cold Winter

Some reasons your heating bills are higher than normal are beyond your control. One factor to consider when you notice a high energy bill is the weather outside. If it's mild outside, your heating doesn’t need to work as hard. If, however, you’re experiencing a particularly cold season, then your heat will turn on more frequently, and work harder every day. If you’re experiencing a cold snap, you should be diligent in keeping doors closed and find ways to prevent heat from escaping the home on these frigid days.

5. Utility Companies Raised Prices 

Another factor that is out of your control when it comes to your heating costs is the prices utility companies charge. For one reason or another, energy costs can be higher or lower depending on the year and time of year. One reason utility companies raise prices is high demand. Do your best to conserve energy during peak hours, as this can save you a lot of money on heating each month.

6. You Aren’t Programming Your Thermostat Correctly

Your home’s thermostat is perhaps the most important tool you have to help control your energy costs. Most thermostats are programmable. They let you automatically increase or decrease the home's temperature at scheduled times. One of the best ways to lower energy costs in the winter is to use less heat when you aren’t home. If you aren’t programming your thermostat correctly, then you might be paying for heat when you are at work or away on vacation. Always program your thermostat, and consider investing in a smart thermostat. 

7. Dirty Air Filters

You might not think of air filters when you consider reasons why your energy bill is high, but when air filters are dirty, it can be very costly. When the filters are clean, air flows freely through the air ducts. If the filters are dirty, then your HVAC system must work much harder to push air through. It can cause your heating system to work longer and harder for much of the day. Swapping out dirty air filters with clean ones can save you as much as 15% on your heating costs.

8. An Outdated Thermostat

If you have an old manual thermostat, you're likely paying more than you should each month for heat. An outdated thermostat probably won’t allow you to program your heating for the entire day. Old thermostats are also prone to errors and may heat your home incorrectly, resulting in higher energy costs. A smart thermostat might cost you money up front, but it may result in much lower energy costs over time.

9. Leaky Ductwork

Cracks and vulnerabilities in your home aren’t the only leaks you should inspect and repair when you have a high heating bill. Leaky ductwork can also cause your heating system to work harder, and may result in higher-than-normal heating bills. If ductwork is leaky and old, upwards of 30% of hot air can escape into the walls before it reaches its intended destination. Tightening and upgrading ductwork can save you money on your heating bill in the winter and your AC bill in the summer.

10. Higher Oil And Gas Prices

If you heat your home with oil or natural gas, your energy costs depend on the price of that fuel. Both natural gas and oil prices fluctuate significantly throughout the year and can vary from month to month. To ensure you aren’t paying more than necessary for heating, be diligent in checking oil and natural gas prices.

11. Poorly Maintained Heating System

Regardless of how you heat your home, you must regularly maintain and inspect your heating system. If there is a leak or other issue with your system, it may go unnoticed for months if you aren’t performing regular maintenance. As a rule of thumb, you should schedule maintenance for your heating system once a year. The fall is a great time to inspect and update your heating system, as this helps ensure it will function flawlessly in the winter.

12. You’re Spending More Time At Home Than Normal

Heating bills are usually higher when you spend more time at home. When you’re indoors, you want the temperature to be comfortable, and when you're away, you can keep the house cooler. If you’ve recently started working from home, or are spending more time indoors than you usually do, don’t be surprised if your heating bill is higher than you’re used to. If you’re spending more time at home, consider dressing in warm layers and using a space heater in your home office to help keep your heating costs lower.

13. You Aren’t Using Energy-Saving Heating Hacks

Your winter energy costs aren’t likely to shrink magically. Instead, be proactive and find ways to heat your home and reduce your energy consumption throughout the winter. If you haven’t tried any energy-saving hacks in the past, then it’s time to start. There are many DIY ways you can save big on your monthly electric bill, especially when it comes to heating your home.

Wrapping Up Reasons Your Heating Bill Is Higher Than Normal

Utility bills are a monthly expense you can budget for, but if your heating bill skyrockets in the winter, you may find yourself scrambling to keep up with the rising costs. If your energy bill is higher than normal this winter, you need to find the cause, so you can lower your monthly costs.

Some of the most common reasons for a high heating bill include poor insulation, cracks in the home, and an old or incorrectly programmed thermostat. Other reasons why you’re paying more than normal for heat include cold winters, spending more time at home than usual, and rising utility costs.

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