Winter is undoubtedly the time of year when Quebecers' electricity bills soar, and the main culprit is the cold, which forces us to heat our homes to avoid freezing. There are a few tricks you can use to save money without living in discomfort. 

According to Hydro-Québec, warm air leaks and cold air infiltration account for up to 25% of a home's heat loss. Many people find themselves “heating outside” simply because of poor insulation. It's a good idea to carry out inspections and maintenance work, which may be costly at the outset, but will pay off in the long term. 

Caulking is a much less costly solution in the short term. Consider caulking cracks in sills, windows, doors and fireplaces. 

Caulk your garage door and check the condition of its weatherstripping. Install plastic film on your windows to significantly reduce heat loss.   

Temperature control 

What's more, heating alone accounts for more than half of your electricity bill. You can change your consumption habits by reducing the room temperature by just 1°C, or go as far as modifying your appliances, such as your thermostats, to move towards better technology. 

Good habits to adopt

Don't try to speed up heating by setting the thermostat higher than you'd like. It won't work! Check the set temperature on your thermostat. Lowering it by just 1 oC (2 oF) can save you money. Lower the temperature in unoccupied rooms. If you keep the door to that room closed, you'll reduce your heating costs without compromising your comfort. 

Energy-efficient products

Replace your bimetallic thermostats with electronic ones. This simple, inexpensive change could shave up to 10% off your annual heating costs.

If you're not in a position to change them all in the same year, start by changing those in the rooms where heating is most needed. 

Don't forget to call in a master electrician for the installation to avoid any unpleasant surprises and risks. 

Heating systems

The installation of heat pumps is becoming increasingly popular. Under certain conditions, financial assistance is available through Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program. What's more, if you combine several measures, financial assistance may be increased.

When the temperature is cold, a low-temperature heat pump is efficient and consumes less energy than other heating appliances. As a result, it costs less in electricity.

A heat pump doesn't produce heat: it extracts and concentrates heat from the outside air and transfers it inside the house. That's why it consumes less energy. 

Use hot water wisely

The second biggest consumer of electricity is hot water.  With the mercury dropping, taking long hot baths can be tempting.

Instead, take short showers using a showerhead that limits the flow of water, not forgetting to acquire other good reflexes in the kitchen and laundry room.

Other good habits to adopt

Finally, there are a few simple things you can do on a daily basis that will make a difference to your energy consumption.

During the day, it's a good idea to open the blinds and curtains to take advantage of the warmth of the sun's rays. In the evening, close them to keep the heat in as much as possible. 

In addition to being a fire hazard, placing furniture in front of a heat source will only reduce heating efficiency. 

Keeping the air intake grilles and outlets of your forced-air heating system clean will help optimize your system. 

If you have a fireplace, when it goes out, close the doors and the chimney damper to prevent hot air from escaping from the house. 

Clean your ventilation system's filters periodically and replace them if necessary, in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. This will optimize the system's airflow.

Finally, make sure your attic hatch is tightly sealed and well insulated. If you have access to the attic, caulk around plumbing pipes at their junctions, as well as any other openings, such as ceiling light outlets.