How to Save on Your Heating Bill

If you heat your home and water using oil, your heating bill is especially high this year. But you can use a few simple tricks to lower your heating bill and still stay warm.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• electric blanket
• comforter
• sleeping bag
• portable radiator
• large pots
• boiling water
• stove heater

1. Buy an electric blanket for everyone in your household that is mature enough to use one. They can range from $15-$100 depending on the size and material used. To keep yourself extra warm, throw another blanket or comforter on top of the electric blanket.

2. Use a portable radiator. You can easily warm a small room with one heater for the fraction of the cost of using oil. Prices start around $60.

3. You can clean your dishes with boiling water. Fill a cooking pot of water and let it boil. Dip dirty dishes in for a moment and wash as usual. You can use two cooking pots for extra cleanliness and easiness.

4. Wear more layers. Because we are experiencing a mild winter, you can go without cranking up the heat too high. Keep it low and wear a sweater indoors.

5. Use an electric flame stove heater. They can warm a room and are fairly inexpensive. Prices start around $150.

6. Use a sleeping bag. When I've had to go without electricity for any period of time, such as during a power outage, I've used a sleeping bag in place of a comforter. It keeps your body heat in much better than a regular comforter.

Tips & Warnings

• Most of these products are available at Walmart, Target, and other department stores.

Resources

• Radiator at Walmart
• Stove Heater at Walmart

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on 5/8/2009 i did this