How to Reduce Your Heating Bills - Without Spending a Lot of Money

With costs rising everywhere, a small effort can save you big bucks when it comes to heating your home this winter. Many of these tips can be applied during the summer months, as well, to make the most of your air conditioning.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Creativity
• Bargain-Hunting Skills
• Time
• Double-sided Tape
• Clear Plastic
• Tension Rods
• Fabric
• Rice or Dried Beans

1. Before Winter:
   
   Utilize storm windows! Make sure the tracks are clean so that the window is completely shut.
   
   Lock all windows.
   
   Lock all doors that will not be in regular use during the winter. This includes storm doors, as well.
   
   Adjust rotation on ceiling fans for WINTER use.
   
   Seal your windows to keep cold air out. One option is to use the plastic window kits available at hardware stores -- but these can be very expensive to purchase.
   
   Instead, purchase a roll of double-sided tape ($2-3) and a roll of lightweight clear plastic at your hardware center. This will work just as well, if not better, than the pre-packaged versions. On a clean surface, apply double-sided tape completely around the window, on the frame. Cut your plastic a tad larger than the area of the window and apply. You may trim any excess later. Use a hair dryer set on LOW on your new plastic to cause it to shrink and create a tighter seal. Trim remaining plastic as desired.
2. Another winter-stopping tactic is to purchase a tension rod that will fit in the stairway leading to your second floor. (Or areas not regularly in use.) Purchase a flannel sheet from a local thrift store and secure it to the rod. This will keep all the heat in the main level of your home, and cause your furnace to run less. At night, open the curtain several hours prior to bedtime to allow the area to warm up too.
3. If you are fortunate enough to have a source of indoor heat, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove, adjust your furnace fan on the thermostat setting from AUTO to ON. This will cause the fan to run continuously, distributing heat from one room to the rest of the house. This still uses very little energy, even running 24 hours per day.
4. Utilize your oven's residual heat by using it during the cold winter months. Many dishes and baked goods take over an hour of cooking time, your stove will help to heat up the house. A crock pot is convenient - but an oven does double-duty!
5. Purchase panty hose and fabric from the thrift store. Cut off one leg of the hose and fill with rice or dried beans of any kind. Use the fabric to make a covering for the filled panty hose by sewing, stapling, or taping! Place your fabric "snake" in front of doors that leak cold air, as close to the bottom of the door as possible. This will keep your tootsies toasty -- no more cold floors!
6. A space heater is a good investment, if you have the money to spare. Heating up a small area where you spend the majority of your time, such as a home office, is more efficient than heating your entire home. I use oil-filled radiators that run on electricity; They have a thermostat and put off toasty heat that really warms up my kitchen.
7. The most important thing that you can do is dress appropriately for the weather, including the weather in your home! When it is cold in your house, layer clothing for warmth. Wear socks and slippers. Keep plenty of throw blankets available for chilly nights while watching TV.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use safe heating practices around children and pets!
• NEVER use your residential oven as a source of heat!
• Keep heating elements away from flammable materials, such as curtains or upholstery.