Save Heating Costs
Keep Warm While Saving Money On Energy
Save heating costs by sealing up your home against the weather outside. By properly winterizing your house, you'll save money on home heating bills and make your living space more comfortable too. Begin by checking the around the doors and windows for drafts. Drafts are often more noticeable on windy days.
You can buy caulking and weather stripping at a local hardware store to seal up any holes that you find. Sealing cracks costs very little and can result in significant energy savings. Save energy save money!
Check every room in your house for proper winterizing, including the basement and attic. Now is the time to seal up your home before the freezing weather arrives.
Fireplaces and vents should also be checked for drafts. They should have working dampers the restrict cold air from flowing into the house. Avoid using ventilation fans in the winter, as they can suck all the warm air out of a room.
Have your home heating equipment properly maintained and serviced. Be sure it's running efficiently and not wasting energy and heating fuel.
Lower Thermostat SettingsYou can save up to 2% of your monthly heating costs simply by setting the thermostats in your home to appropriate levels during the daytime and evening. Leave blinds open during the day and turn down the thermostat to let the warm sun heat your room. Then, lower the blinds in the evening to insulate against the cold and turn up the thermostat to a comfortable level.
Experts recommend installing electronic programmable thermostats so temperature adjustments can be made automatically. During the winter months, an electronic thermostat can keep your rooms at a comfortable 68°F during the day and 55°F at night. Often, the cost of new programmable thermostats can be saved in just one season of use.
Remind family members not to dress for summer in the winter months. 68°F is a comfortable room temperature if you're dressed appropriately. Instead of turning the thermostat up a degree or two, simply put on another layer of clothing. By wearing a heavier long-sleeve shirt or comfortable sweater you can remain warm and lower heating costs.
How To Save On Heating FuelThe cost of heating fuel tends to fluctuate as the colder weather arrives. Have you compared heating oil or natural gas prices in your area? You might be paying too much for your heating fuel. Search for suppliers in your area and compare their prices. Also ask if they offer a discount for senior citizens, if applicable.
Reduce Your Living Space And Cut CostsSmart Money magazine recommends another way to save heating costs -- cut down the living space in your home. Most homes have a storage room, back kitchen, or spare bedroom that goes unused. Winterize unused rooms in your home by sealing up any drafts around windows and outside doors, then turn off the heat supply to those rooms and keep their doors closed with a rolled up towel laid across the door sill to prevent warm air from leaking in.
Buy Energy Efficient Ceiling FansCeiling fans offer another way to save heating costs. The new Energy Star energy-efficient ceiling fans can be turned on in reverse for use in cooler weather. This allows the warmer air near the ceiling to circulate throughout a room instead of simply rising.
Buy quality fans, though. The cheapest ones simply don't last, and they're not as energy efficient. The Hunter brand ceiling fans offer the best value, and they are whisper-quiet.
Utilizing these money saver tips may help you save heating costs by lowering your monthly heating bills so you can set money aside for other important needs.
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