Ways to keep your home warm this winter without driving up your hydro bill

As temperatures plunge in Montreal, experts say there are simple ways to keep your home warm without breaking the bank on your next Hydro-Québec bill.

If you stepped outside today, you already know — it’s bitterly cold. As temperatures plunge, experts say there are simple ways to keep your home warm without breaking the bank on your next Hydro-Québec bill.

Over the past 24 hours, the mercury has dropped sharply across the region. Heating your home is one challenge, but making sure it stays warm is another.

• Snow on the way to Montreal this weekend

Choosing the right heater

The type of heating system you use can make a big difference in both comfort and cost, says John McElligott, president of Electrika Inc.

Baseboard heating is common in many Quebec homes, but it doesn’t always circulate heat properly.

“It’s not uniform heating. You get cold spots with baseboard heaters,” McElligott said.

He recommends considering more efficient options, noting that newer radiant systems are more efficient than older baseboards.

Choosing the right system, he says, can save homeowners real money over time.

Heating takes up half your electricity bill

According to Hydro-Québec, heating accounts for roughly 50 per cent of a typical household’s electricity use.

“That’s where you can actually save money,” said Hydro-Québec spokesperson Cendrix Bouchard. “By focusing on the electricity use you have for heating the space.”

A smart thermostat can help

Experts stress that baseboard heaters aren’t a problem on their own, they just need support. One of the easiest upgrades is installing a smart thermostat.

“This is not a very high investment, but it will save you a lot of money,” said Walter Assi of Renovco.

Assi says programming your thermostat based on how you actually use different rooms can lead to significant savings.

“We all have a couple of rooms in the house that we use a lot less, or we use once a week, like a laundry room, for example. You can set those thermostats at 15 degrees, close the door and only increase the thermostat when you need to, if you’re using the room,” he said.

Seal air leaks for instant savings

Assi says homeowners can save even more by making sure there are no air leaks coming from outside.

“That by itself will save you another five to 10 per cent per year,” he said.