Oh, the luxuries we have! We have electric heating! Bring on the storms, winter! Go ahead and cast the world into a grey, frozen land. We’ll just turn the thermostat and sing along with Frank Sinatra: “Let it snow!” Give us your worst, Jack Frost. We’ll be fine and toasty behind these walls.
As we sit in the comfort of our heated house, the heating bill silently ticks. The price of comfort climbs as the weather gets colder, but most of us shell out the money without thought. There are ways to save, however, while still avoiding the teeth-chattering cold.
How Low Can You Go?
Your thermostat is an impressive tool that can do two things at once. With a simple twist of the knob it can simultaneously heat your house and suck your bank account dry! Be as frugal as possible with the thermostat. Don’t be too eager to crank up the heat, as you’ll soon see a much thinner wallet. Figure out a temperature you won’t go above. Maybe it’s 70 degrees. Would you notice a difference if you went to 69 degrees the next day, though? What about 68? See how low you can take your thermostat while remaining comfortable. It’s estimated that you can save three percent of your bill for each degree lower you go. If you can go three or four degrees lower, you could save ten to twenty dollars each month!
Also, be sure to turn off (or at least down) the heat when you’ll be out of the house for an extended period of time. Consider doing the same when you’re sleeping, too.
Thinking Outside the Thermostat
While you fight the urge to twist the thermostat higher, remember that there are other ways to stay warm. The winter is a great time to don your cozy sweatpants, sweatshirts and slippers. Believe it or not, they work inside just as well as outside. Wrap yourself in a blanket on the couch, too, and you’ll be as comfy as can be.
There are also ways to warm yourself from the inside out. Fill your home’s menu with hot soups and stews. Start your day out with a hot bowl of oatmeal. Don’t forget to enjoy cups of hot chocolate, coffee, tea and cider! Apart from being festive, it will also be easier to refrain from turning the thermostat when you have a belly full of warm goodness.
Don’t leave the kitchen quite yet! If you use the oven, leave it open a crack when you’re done. All of that good heat shouldn’t go to waste!
Seal to Save
Your goal is to keep the heat on the inside of the house and the cold on the outside, right? Well, many people’s houses leak heat like an old raft leaks air. You know you’re losing some, but where from? The more heat that seeps out, the more expensive your heating bill will be. It’s time to patch up that leaky raft.
First, any unused rooms (often vacant guest rooms) should have their heating vents closed and their doors closed. Why pay to heat a room nobody uses? Next, put draft stoppers under all doors that lead outside. If you don’t want to buy any, you can simply use a rolled towel or blanket. Check the stripping around all doors and windows, too. Make sure there are no gaps bleeding precious heat. Especially if your windows are thin, consider putting up thick curtains. The more protection the better! If you’re looking to buy new windows, consider the pricier storm windows. They lose up to 50% less heat than normal windows and can pay for themselves in the long run.
Also, if you have a fireplace, make sure the damper is closed. Leaving it open will quickly and easily let hot air flow out and invite that evil, cold air in to take its place. Finally, take a trip to the basement. See if you can find any leaks here, too. Plug them with a cheap, silicone caulk or something similar.
There! Your house is now an efficient, heat-retaining machine.
Following these simple steps should make your winter heating bill much more manageable. It only takes preparation and a little thinking to save you some real money this winter. How do you stay warm for less? Tell us!
