With cooler temperatures settling in, it means that the frigid cold often associated with winter is probably not far away. Before the harsh frosty days begin, why not take steps to reduce cold-weather expenses and keep yourself warm, and your bills under control during the chilly months. Here are some steps you can take to save money this winter.
1. Drafts
Your ancestors knew about drafts, so long, heavy curtains were hung in front of windows and doorways to prevent drafts from moving from one unheated room into a heated one. Modern life introduced central heating, so all the rooms in your home are now heated equally or so you would think. The truth is that windows, doorways, and insulation can all differ in each room of your home, and even the tiniest crack can allow a great deal of cold air into the house in only a single hour. As cold air comes in, heating costs rise. To keep costs down, check all windows and doors for obvious drafts by running your hands about two inches from the edge. If you feel cold air blowing into your home through even the smallest of spaces, it is time to caulk the window. If your door is the culprit, use weather stripping to prevent cold air from entering.
2. Fans
If you have ceiling fans, do yourself a favor and set them to winter mode to help heat your home. As heat rises to the ceiling, your fans can help push the hotter air back into your living area. That can result in a warmer room and happier you.
3. Filters
If you don’t use your furnace during the summer, chances are the filter is grungy and dusty. A filter covered in dirt or particles can obstruct the flow of hot air your furnace is trying to use to heat your home. As the furnace becomes less efficient, the machine will need to work longer and harder to push the amount of warmth into your house to reach the required temperature. Although a filter sounds like a little thing, and it really is not that big, it can make a large difference in your home’s heating costs. In fact, heating and cooling specialists suggest changing your furnace filter once a month to lower your heating bill.
4. Nighttime
If you are wrapped in blankets in a snuggly warm bed at night, why would you need to continue heating your home to the same temperature that you do during the day? Even if you have children, they are sure to be dressed in warm winter pajamas and have several blankets to pull over themselves. If you don’t turn down your heat at night, you are wasting a huge potential winter’s savings, because health professionals claim the best sleeping temperatures for the human body is between a mild 60 degrees and a warmer 67 degrees.
If the costs of winter are blowing you away, fight back with the four tips above. Although these are not huge changes, the tips can help you save hundreds of dollars in costs during the cold winter months.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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