Easy Ways To Stretch Your Dollar With Winter Heating

As the temperature drops outside, the thermostats go up inside. This is a fact of winter, as are higher heating bills. Don’t let it get you down though, because there are ways to stretch your dollar a little further when heating your home. Most of these tips consist of inexpensive, easy do-it-yourself, home improvements.

Blind Benefits

Window coverings can have a huge impact on temperature control in your house. Just as many people find it keeps the house cooler if shades are drawn on hot days, the same is true in reverse for cold days. Open the blinds once the sun in up, and let the natural heat in! Be sure to close them as the sun goes down to trap the heat and shut out the cold.

Get a Programmable Thermostat

Yes, you can do the same job manually, but it is just one more thing that goes on your daily list of things to remember. A programmable thermostat can be purchased at any local home improvement store starting as low as $20. You can expect to save 1% of your bill per lowered degree if maintained for 8 hours. Program your thermostat to heat 10 degrees cooler while you are at work or school during the week, and you are looking at a 10% decrease on your bill!

Heat The Space You’re In

Space heaters are an inexpensive purchase that can go a long way in heating bill savings. People usually spend more time in one room than others. Rather than boosting the thermostat to warm the whole house to your comfort level, consider just heating the space you are in! Space heaters can save you a whopping $200 dollars a year! Keep in mind a few safety steps to insure hazard free heating. Keep it away from curtains, furniture, or items that might come in contact with the heating element and become a fire hazard. Never leave it running when you are out of the room…that defeats the purpose. Use electric space heaters. They are safest. Keep children and pets away.

Check for Drafts and Seal Them

Ask your HVAC company to check your windows and doors while they are doing their maintenance servicing. This simple task can save you up to 15-20% on your heating bills. Inspect the weather stripping on exterior walls for cracking or missing sections. Get them replaced as soon as possible. Also, you can add a “sweep” to your exterior doors. They are easy to install by sliding them on the bottom of the door. This will keep the cold air out and the warm air in.

When finding ways to keep warm, don’t forget the obvious. Dress for the season…warm clothes and socks or slippers on your feet! Following these simple tips can help you stay warm inside your home and all the while enjoy knowing that you are not going to break the bank doing so.