Cheaper Heating Bill

As the weather gets colder and heaters get turned on, bills suddenly go way up. No matter what form of heat you use, those cold winter months mean shelling out more money. Here are a few things I do to save on heat costs.

• Turn the heat down at night. An obvious one, I know, but think about how low you're setting the thermostat. If you keep your house between 68 and 70 degrees during the day and turn it down to 65 at night you won't save a whole lot. Try 55. How much heat do you really need at night? That's what warm pajamas and blankets are for.
• Block vents in underused rooms. If you have a room that's used primarily for storage or as a guest room you don't need to pump heat into it regularly (unless you keep temperature-sensitive materials in it.) Some vents turn off easily, others can be blocked with a piece of cardboard or plywood.
• Start baking! If you use the oven (which I do frequently in the winter) take that into account when you set the thermostat. If I plan on baking in the morning I often don't turn the thermostat up right away. If I bake during the day I usually turn the thermostat down. Ovens produce a lot of heat. Use it!
• Check for cold air. If you have windows or doors that could use new weather stripping your heating bill will show it. Even a little fabric can help in those situations.
• Dress for the weather! Just because you have the option of turning the heat up doesn't mean you should wear t-shirts around the house. A sweater and warm slippers can lower the heat bill, too.

If you're in a colder area, enjoy these wintry evenings!