The Type Of Heater That Can Make Your Energy Bills Skyrocket During Winter

Utility costs can fluctuate pretty drastically throughout the seasons. With winter right around the corner, you may believe that you're in the clear for sky-high electricity bills. It's a reasonable assumption — after all, you won't be running the air conditioning in your home for the foreseeable future. However, there is one common type of heating appliance that could result in an unpleasant surprise when you get your first round of winter utility bills: an electric heater.

There are many different ways to heat your home. As the name suggests, electric heaters are powered by electricity, not natural gas or oil. They're more popular in the South, where temperatures rarely get cold enough to warrant more powerful heaters. 

Compared to fuel-powered furnaces, most electric heaters are better for the air quality in your home and cheaper to install upfront. However, according to a recent report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), people who use electricity to heat their homes can expect their bills to increase by an average of 4% between November and March. Here's everything you need to know about this prediction, including tips and tricks for keeping your home warm with minimal increases to your electric bill.

If your household relies on electricity for heating, then higher electric bills might be inevitable this season. That's because retail electricity prices are expected to rise by about 5 percent. To an extent, this is largely weather-dependent. A milder winter may mean that there's less demand for heat, and that it takes less electricity to keep your home toasty. In fact, if temperatures are mild over the next five months, the EIA predicts that homes heated by electricity will pay "about the same as they did last winter." Where you live is a factor, too: The EIA's projected energy costs vary slightly by region.

Across the board, your usage habits also matter. To avoid a hike in electricity costs this winter, consider turning the temperature down in your home or switching to a SMART thermostat, which has been shown to save electricity. You might also try weatherstripping your doors or windows to prevent drafts and hopefully lower your home energy costs. Do you use electric radiators or space heaters? Only run them when you absolutely need them, and never leave them turned on when unattended. It's one common space heater mistake that can cause a fire, as well as increase your electric bill.