We can all use a little extra money, especially during the holiday season. Â But with winter already here, most of us have already experienced higher energy costs. Fortunately, there a few easy ways you can save some money on your heating costs this winter.
- Lower the Thermostat – While it’s easy to want to be cozy and toasty while there’s a blizzard going on outside, it will save you
quite a bit of money to drop your thermostat only a few degrees. The savings amount to up to 3% on your heating bill per degree lowered over a 24 hour period (or about 1 percent per 8 hours). During the winter months, I keep our thermostat set at 68 during the day and 60 at night. Play with these numbers to see what works for you.  Some people go as low as 55 at night! If you aren’t at home during the day, lower it even more and if you have children or babies, bump the thermostat up at night. I also recommend a programmable thermostat. This way you are in complete control of when your house is warmer or cooler and to what degree.
- Keep all vents and radiators clear – Ensure your vents are not blocked by rugs or furniture, or that you don’t have any large objects in front of your radiator. This allows the air to circulate freely and you to get the full benefit of the warm air and put less strain on your furnace. This is also safer!
-  Close Your Curtains – Around 10-25% of your house’s heat loss can be attributed to your windows. To reduce this, open curtains and shades on south-facing windows during daylight hours to allow the sun’s heat to enter your house and warm it. Keep all of your curtains and blinds closed at night and when the sun is not shining on them. This will help to insulate your house and keep the heat trapped inside. You can put blankets over uncovered windows and drapes, especially at night when they are not being used and when the temperature is at its coldest.
- Seal Any leaks – Most houses leak at least some. But if you seal most of these leaks, you can save between 10-20% on your heating bill this winter. To detect leaks, wait until it is cold outside. You will probably need at least a 30-degree difference in the indoor/outdoor temperatures to notice any drafts. Common areas where leaks occur include around doors, windows, near the attic, where wires and cables enter your house, and around electrical outlets. Seal gaps around any pipes, wires, vents or other openings with caulk or weather stripping.
- Add Some Insulation – This is pretty self-explanatory, but if you do decide to take this step, not only will it save you money, but it can also be a tax-deductible home improvement that will give you an even better return for your investment!
quite a bit of money to drop your thermostat only a few degrees. The savings amount to up to 3% on your heating bill per degree lowered over a 24 hour period (or about 1 percent per 8 hours). During the winter months, I keep our thermostat set at 68 during the day and 60 at night. Play with these numbers to see what works for you.  Some people go as low as 55 at night! If you aren’t at home during the day, lower it even more and if you have children or babies, bump the thermostat up at night. I also Any little bit helps when it comes to saving money! Hopefully, these tips will be helpful to those who are cash strapped, want extra money to spend for Christmas, or who want to beef up their prepping supplies during those sale weeks after the holiday!
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6. Install a woodstove or coal furnace. You will keep warm two ways…by cutting the firewood and also when you burn it.
7. Curl up at night beside that whale of a wife ya got. She’ll keep ya warm and provide sweet dreams.
8. Warm up by drinking some home brew. It will make number 7 easier.
Lol!! Number 8 is my daily routine
Since personality conflicts come before practicality, it doesn’t occur to me, that the grid could be trusted. I think of other ways of doing everything, always.
WOW never ever would I have thought of those!! Thank you for all this valuable info!!
You forgot the sarc tag.
Don’t forget to clean your furnace filters if you have forced air heating. Dirty filters kill the ability of your furnace to heat your home and this results in a lot more run time than necessary.
Close your foundation vents and seal them off if you have a dry crawl.
If you don’t have a dry crawl space find out why …very unhealthy.
Most time its improperly draining gutters . Also there should be a 6″ drop in grade away from the foundation within the first 6 feet around the perimeter of your foundation.
Most of the auto closing foundation vents dont work for crap after a couple of years.
Crawl space insulation is a good investment. *note – if you are going to use foam …make sure it’s termite resistant.
String incandescent lighting with a lighted switch to let you know when lights are on….and put down a plastic vapor barrier if you have a dirt floor in your crawl.
Crawl spaces should be well lit useful spaces …especially for preppers.
Some states dont require foundation vents if the crawl space is properly constructed. That says a bunch.
There’s nothing worse than a funky moldy crawl space. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Dollar for dollar crawl space insulation is one of the most cost effective winterazation projects you can do.
Labor intense yes but well worth it.
SO one has Hydronic Heating does any of this apply? Lol …. all one can do with that heating is lower the temp is all.
What I did to heat my home:
I bought a house with an efficient wood stove and I put in a supply of cut & split seasoned oak firewood. (If you do not have a wood stove I would recommend you have one ‘professionally’ installed.)
Next, I bought 4 – 100 lb. Propane gas tanks and I store them behind my home. I then run a gas line through my dining room wall where I run the gas line into a shut-off valve and then the gas line terminates at a floor-mounted propane gas heater. I think it’s 20,000 BTUs.
Then I turn OFF my expensive electric whole house heat system and I heat my house when it’s really cold with wood and when I just want to take the chill out of the room or if its just a little cool I will use gas.
And for bedrooms at night when needed I use small electric heaters. So all said my heat bill for the entire winter for my 5 bedroom, 3 bath home with a full basement is about $300.00
I think these were the ways you were looking to save on your heat bill and NOT turn your thermostat down or to add in more insulation. I will pray for you and your heat bill…
Exactly
Exactly
Eat more fat – butter, coconut oil, bacon, burgers …