How to Save on Heating Bills the New England Way

New England winters may look like a calendar scene, but the cold weather is brutal. New Englanders prepare for these and cope with the cold based on years of experience. Here's what we can learn from following their lead.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. 

   Heating with wood may seem quaint, but it's one way to beat the high cost of heating oil. It's especially cost effective if you cut the fuel yourself from your own woods.

2. 

   Alternatives to wood heat include pellet stoves, fireplace inserts, and other individual room heaters.

3. 

   Insulate the house, particularly if it's an older home.

4. 

   Close off some rooms that aren't used often. Instead of family members spending evenings in their individual rooms, get together in one room and heat that room. Shut off the heating vents to unused rooms.

5. Wear layers of clothing. Long-johns or insulated underwear provide a warm base. Sweaters and sweatshirts help keep you warm around the house.

6. 

   Lower the thermostat. Thrifty New Englanders don't keep their houses at 72 degrees or higher in the winter. They know they aren't in Miami and dress accordingly.

7. On sunny days, take advantage of solar heat gain. Open the blinds and curtains to let the sun in. Close the blinds at dusk to keep out the night-time cold.

8. 

   Don't let your heat escape up the chimney. Keep the damper closed when the fireplace isn't in use. Get a fireplace insert for more effective heating. If the fireplace no longer works, have it closed up.

9. Get an energy audit from the local power or heating company. Often these are offered free. They review your situation and tell you ways to save on energy.

Tips & Warnings

• Many retirees close up their New England houses during the winter and spend those months in Florida. Unfortunately that option isn't available to most people.
• Avoid small electric space heaters which run up the electric bill.

Resources

• Energy audit for NH, ME, MASS

[slphilbrick]

on 8/31/2008 New Englanders. Yup, I'm one. And yes, we are beginning to prepare now. We dress in layers generally. My home never sees 72 in winter. Only my massage office where folks prefer to be warm ! Excellent article !

[Psalmist4M]

on 8/29/2008 Boy will we be looking at this this winter. I never thought to have my local power company do an eval. We'll check into this this week. Thanks for the article. 5*s cherylgoff.com

[AbbyNormal]

on 8/27/2008 It is the Floridians that keep their thermostats on 72 in the winter. I live in North Central Florida and keep mine at 68 in the winter. My friend has hers at 78 and to me that is stifling! Good article.

[JMKnudson]

on 8/27/2008 Great ideas. We have a big house and since we started closing off areas that aren't used much it has lowered our bill quite a bit.

[Cherst1031]

on 8/27/2008 Great tips! We're in NH and keep our heat at 60 degrees all winter - not everyone can stand that, but I don't mind it :)