How to Lower Your Heating Cost and Bill for free or Save Money On Heating your home

I read a quote once that said “Change your thoughts, and you change your world.” by Norman Vincent Peale. Being cold in this modern world is merely a state of mind. We were taught from a young age that we have to be warm. It’s embedded in our minds.
When anyone tells me they are cold in my house, I tell them (not jokingly I might add), go outside, take off you clothes and stand there for about 20 minutes. Come back inside and then tell me if it’s cold in here.
I get that funny look, like I’m crazy, but then something starts to sink in.
Being cold is how you think of it, not about actually being cold.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. The first and most important step is to change your thought process. Most people think “This house is cold” or “It’s cold in here”. These people don’t think “I’m cold.” Start thinking “I am cold” and see what solutions pop into your head. The house does not need to be warmed up. It only needs be above 32 degrees so that the pipes don’t freeze. So, why turn up the heat in a 5,000 square foot area when all you really need to do is put a hat or a sweater on. If your hands are cold, put on fingerless gloves.
   If you were outside and you were cold, would you think about turning up the sun so that it gets warmer? I know you would like that, but that solution just won’t work. So, you warm yourself up by putting on extra layers of clothing. Do the same at home and stay away from the thermostat!

2. Toughen Up! Summer’s over and the nights start to get cooler. What’s the first thing people do: Turn on the heat. Not a good idea because you are teaching your body to get used to staying warm. Therefore, all winter long you will need the heat turned up and you will never be used to being cold.
   My suggestion is to keep the heat off as long as possible, maybe even into December. It only takes a few weeks for your body to get used to something. If you can endure and enjoy the cold for a few weeks, by the end of the few weeks, you won’t be as cold anymore.

3. At night, lower the heat to 60 degrees or lower. This will continue to toughen you up and get you used to being cold. An additional option is to not use a lot of blankets. As an added benefit for those of you that are married, this will be a way to get your spouse to sleep next to you.

4. When you take a shower, keep the window open. This again is keeping your body used to being cold. I’m not recommending taking a cold shower, but if you could, do it.

5. I once read a science fiction book where the characters were able to “Ignore the cold with a little mind trick.” I don’t know what the mind trick was, but what this meant was that the characters stopped thinking about being cold.
   You can do the same. Use your mind to ignore the cold.

6. Love the winter! The cold wind blowing is the greatest sound in the world. Walking around in the snow is a winter wonderland. You know all the metaphors. Winter is a wonderful time, so enjoy it. What better way to enjoy winter then to enjoy the temperature of the air.

7. As it gets colder outside, lower the heat inside, instead of raising it. By January or February it’s really cold outside and what do people do, raise the heat!. Think about it! In December you had the heat on 68 degrees and it was just fine inside but it was only in the 40s outside. Come January, it’s in the teens and you have to have the heat on 72 degrees inside? How come 68 was good in December and now it’s not good in January?
   What you should do is lower that heat to 67 degrees in January, then 66 degrees in February.
   When you go outside, you will feel less cold if your body is already used to being cold when you are inside.

8. When you get in your car, don’t turn on the heat. If you do turn it on, don’t put it at 90 degrees even though it’s free heat. This defeats the purpose of toughening you up and getting you used to cold. Drive without the heat on and enjoy the cold air.

9. Is in hot or warm in your office and you can’t control the heat? Dress like it’s summertime when you go to work to avoid this problem.

10. If you follow these tips, I promise you that you will be able to lower your heating bill significantly and you will feel more comfortable in winter.

[Delaplane]

on 4/20/2009 Great advice on how to lower tour heating cost and bill