Sunday, November 15, 2009

Save Money on Utility Bills in Winter



Save money on utilities in winter by thinking ahead and planning ahead. We cannot predict how cold the season will be, but we can predict that it will be cold enough that we need to consider conservation methods. Make yourself cozy in your little home.

It is not just the expense. Many areas of the country have difficulty supplying sufficient energy if everyone uses the maximum.

Make a plan to approach the issue of high utility use and expense in the winter. You can save money and practice conservation of utilities with a plan.

Think through your particular situation and housing. Do you need insulation? Can you reasonably insulate doors, windows and wall openings? Will attic insulation really pay off? Many times, it takes years to recoup major expenses, and if it is not your intention to live in the house for many years, it may not be the best solution. BUT, consider all options, since there is some Federal funding available for weatherizing a home this year.

Consider other possibilities. Purchase weatherstripping for doors and put it in place. Maybe make draft dodgers for the doors. (These are snake-style "pillows" for the bottom of the door.)

Plan to wear warmer clothing if you get cold easily. Even a degree or two makes a difference in the heating costs of a home.

Use the oven and dryer on the coldest days and at the coldest time of day that is reasonable. This will heat the house with the oven and dryer heat, and save some use of the home heating unit.

Use a space heater if you work in one area most of the day. Turn the central heating down, and set the space heater to a temperature that will be comfortable for your specific area. This is usually considered more acceptable than trying to close off areas of the home, and these little heaters are less than $20. They turn off automatically if tipped, but still need to be kept away from flammables.

Cut down on trips in and out the exterior doors. Plan the trips so you do more than one project while outside.

Use a fireplace and wood as supplemental heating. There are fireplace units now that are reasonably priced and easy to install. If you have a fireplace and do not use it, convert it to a gas or electric or whatever utility is in your area that is more economical than central heat.

Turn the water heater down a little. Most people have the water heater higher than recommended. 125 degrees Fahrenheit will burn a child. 120 degrees is about the lowest recommended temperature setting.

Do something for exercise if you are chilly. Get up and work a little and warm up. Drink a cup of something hot. Use a lap blanket. Suggest this for anyone else who is cold. It may even help keep you fit, lose weight, and keep muscles strong.

Learn to use the microwave for heating water or speeding your cooking on the stove. The microwave is less expensive to run than your stove because it takes less time to get to the desired temperature.

Turn off appliances not in use. This includes the iron, the oven, and the little electric heater you just bought.

Purchase energy-saving lighting and change the bulbs to the lowest wattage practical. Use individual lamps for close work or reading. Use fluorescent bulbs in the shop and garage and do not burn outdoor lighting in the daytime. Get a timer to turn these lights off automatically if you cannot remember to turn them off.

Make saving money on utilities a game if you have children. Reward them for energy saved.

You can make changes in your daily activities and save money on utility bills in winter.

If you are interested in frugal living or learning other ways to economize, read about how to cut back and reduce expenses in this article.

We hope your winter is comfortable and safe.

Linda
cajunC

copyright 2009 Linda Richard

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