How To Save On Home Energy Costs This Winter

Winter in the Pacific Northwest has a distinct personality. It isn't just the short days or the gray skies; it’s the damp chill that manages to seep through the walls of our beloved, but often drafty, architecture. In Portland, where craftsman bungalows and Victorian apartments abound, the charm of old windows often comes with a steep price tag: soaring heating bills.

For many, the colder months bring a sense of dread — a choice between wearing three sweaters indoors or facing a utility bill that wrecks the monthly budget. But it doesn't have to be that way. By combining some "sweat equity" with the massive suite of incentives available to Oregonians, you can keep the cold out without draining your wallet.

Here is your battle plan for a cozy, cost-effective winter.

The single biggest reason for high winter energy bills isn't necessarily the cost of electricity or gas; it’s that your home is leaking the heat you’ve already paid for. Before you touch the thermostat, you need to seal the "envelope" of your home.

Start with a simple audit. On a windy day, walk your home with a lit stick of incense or a match. Hold it near window frames, door jambs, and baseboards. If the smoke blows sideways, you have a leak.

For the gaps: If you own your home, your best friend is a caulk gun. Look for "acrylic latex with silicone" for indoor window trim — it paints well and lasts. The trick to a good seal isn't just squeezing the trigger; it’s the finish. Cut the nozzle at a 45-degree angle, apply a steady bead, and then smooth it out with a wet finger or a caulk-smoothing tool to ensure it bonds to both surfaces. This airtight seal stops drafts immediately.

For the renters: You don't need to suffer just because you don't own the walls. Buy a box of rope caulk. It looks like gray clay strings that you press into gaps around window frames with your thumb. It seals perfectly all winter and peels off cleanly in the spring without damaging paint.

For the glass: If you have single-pane windows that feel like blocks of ice, invest in a shrink-film insulation kit. These cost less than $15 at local hardware stores. By applying the double-sided tape and shrinking the clear film with a hair dryer, you create a trapped pocket of air that acts as a thermal buffer, mimicking the effect of a double-pane window.

Once the drafts are sealed, you need to manage the air inside.

Flip the Fan: Most people think ceiling fans are only for summer. Look for a small switch on the motor housing of your fan and flip it, so the blades spin clockwise at the lowest speed. Heat naturally rises and gets trapped at your ceiling. A clockwise spin creates a gentle updraft that displaces that warm air, pushing it back down the walls to where you are actually sitting.

The Humidity Equation: In the Northwest, damp air is the enemy. Moist air absorbs heat from your body faster than dry air, making 68°F feel chilly. If your windows are "crying" with condensation, your home is likely too humid.

The Water Heater Adjustment: This fix isn’t about keeping you warmer so much as it’s about not overheating things, namely your water. Head to your basement or utility closet. Manufacturers often ship water heaters set to 140°F. This is not only a scalding hazard but also results in high "standby" heat loss. Dialing it back to 120°F is the sweet spot: hot enough to kill bacteria like Legionella, but cool enough to save you up to 10% on water heating costs.

Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power are actively trying to pay you to use less energy during specific times. If you aren't signed up for these programs, you are leaving money on the table.

You are already funding this nonprofit through a small charge on your utility bill, so you might as well reap the benefits.

The Free Kit: Go to the Energy Trust of Oregon website immediately. Most customers of PGE, Pacific Power, and NW Natural qualify for a free Energy Saver Kit (yes, even renters!). They will mail you a box containing LED bulbs, high-efficiency showerheads (which cut water heating costs), and faucet aerators. It takes five minutes to order and arrives in weeks.

The Big Upgrades: If you are a homeowner, ETO offers substantial cash incentives for insulation and heating upgrades. We’re talking about cash-per-square-foot for insulating attics, walls, and floors. If you are still using baseboard heaters, investigate their incentives for ductless heat pumps. These systems are the gold standard for our climate and can drastically cut heating bills compared to resistance heating.

Think solar energy is only for rich homeowners with south-facing roofs? Think again. The Oregon Community Solar Program allows anyone — renters included — to subscribe to a large, off-site solar project.

You subscribe to a "slice" of a solar farm located elsewhere in the utility territory. The energy that slice produces appears as a credit on your monthly electric bill.

We know that for some households, efficiency tweaks aren't enough to bridge the gap. If you are struggling, there are local organizations designed specifically to help.

The Community Energy Project (CEP) is a Portland treasure. They offer free weatherization workshops that teach you exactly how to seal windows and stop drafts. The best part? Attendees receive a free kit of materials to take home and install immediately. For seniors and people with disabilities who cannot do the work themselves, CEP also provides direct in-home safety and weatherization repairs.

If you are facing immediate financial crisis or potential disconnection, the Oregon Energy Fund provides direct bill assistance to keep the lights and heat on.

Saving money during a Portland winter isn't about wearing a parka to dinner or keeping your thermostat set to "shiver." It’s about outsmarting our specific brand of weather. It’s about understanding that our drafty vintage homes need a seal, not just more heat. It’s about realizing that damp air steals your warmth, and that your utility company has programs designed to pay you back.

So, go buy that tube of caulk, flip that ceiling fan switch, and sign up for those rebates. Your home will feel cozier, and come February, your wallet will thank you.

Happy saving!
Bryan,
Founder/Publisher,
Stumptown Savings