Things You'll Need:
- utility bill
- insulation
- yard sale
- house
- furnace
- window blind
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Step 1
Prepare a heating strategy. Take a look at your heating costs for last year. Is there an alternative heating unit you can use that is cheaper? I recently purchased a mineral oil heating electric unit that costs no more than a plugged in coffee pot to heat an entire room. I can heat the room I’m in and turn down the thermostat in rooms that aren’t being used.
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Step 2
Get your furnace serviced. Make sure it is working in tip top order, this alone could save you hundreds of dollars and the headache of your furnace conking out mid-winter.
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Step 3
Recheck your home every fall. Where can you insulate better in your home? Some electric companies will come out and do an energy audit, aka show you what you can do better to save energy. This is often a free service, take advantage of it!
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Step 4
Go yard sale shopping. Late summer and early fall are excellent times for yard sales. Make a list of your family’s sizes for boots, jackets, mittens, etc. Coats that are used for one year by a child are great finds, especially if you are getting them for 20% of the original cost.
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Step 5
Add to your daily routine. Open the curtains on the side of the house where the sun is shining and close them at night. Bring as much free warmth into your home as you possibly can.
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Step 6
Make four weekly winter menus and follow them. By knowing what is for dinner next week, you’ll be able to take advantage of meat and product sales, not buy what you don’t need and save energy by doubling up when making a meal and freezing the second meal for another week.
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Step 7
Re-arrange your furniture for the winter. Don’t make your heaters work harder than they have to by placing a chair or couch in front of them. Put your favorite place to sit in the warm spot of the room so you won’t be tempted to turn up the heat.
Comments
leanan said
on 10/28/2008 Awesome tips, and major money savers :)