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Strategies For Saving Money On Heat |
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Last year I did an experiment. Would heating with an electric room heater in each room be more expensive than heating with my gas furnace? I found out the electric heaters are much more expensive than turning up my thermostat on my gas heater. So if you're chilly, you can forget the electric heaters, just turn up the thermostat 1-2 degrees.
More tips for keeping warm:
- Wear layers. Wear a T-shirt under your sweater.
- Wear a hat. I have a thin knit hat which is just right for indoors. I also like the hoody sweatshirts because they cover your neck and head.
- Wear long underwear indoors. Your $9 long underwear will pay for itself in less than one season.
- Exercise. Do 50 jumping jacks each time you get cold. This warms you up and is good for you. Or do sit-ups, push-ups, or something similar. Ride an indoor bike or do a stair stepper. I bought a portable stair stepper, it's perfect for my small house. It's only the size of a phonebook.
- Put foam on the windows to keep out chills. That plastic sheet works, but only a little. Foam works great. If you don't like the look, decorate it! First, put some type of paper over it, like contact paper, then paint that. Many paints will dissolve foam. The pink foam works better than the white polystyrene.
- Don't forget to insulate the exterior wall switch plates and outlets. Buy those foam shapes for your switches and outlets, remove the cover, place over the switch/outlet, and replace the cover.
- Check your exterior door edging. This is usually a rubber or foam thing that goes around the edge of the door to keep out drafts. They do wear out and need to be replaced about every 5 years.
By Chuck R. from Grand Rapids, MI
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RE: Strategies For Saving Money On Heat
I've found that using just one space heater in the living room, where I spend most of my at-home time, is more economical than turning up the thermostat on my gas furnace to heat up the whole house. But if you have small children, of course you have to keep the whole house warmer.
RE: Strategies For Saving Money On Heat
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Post By Lynda (Guest Post)
(01/25/2007)
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Being born/raised in TX, a most temperate climate,
when I traveled/moved with my ex-husband for years, regardless of what I wore, I could NOT get warm enough because my hands, nose, and lips were so affected by the cold air when living up North.
I count my blessings every minute that I don't have to suffer any longer now that I'm home again. God
bless those of you who have had to just get used to it, and who live all bundled up much of the year. Plan to come get warm for a few years down south.
Most folks who do seldom ever want to leave. lol
RE: Strategies For Saving Money On Heat
Very good tips, Chuck! I wear long underwear and wool socks indoors; I am always nice and comfortable. My place of work is also cold so I wear long underwear to work too. At night, when watching tv and it is cold we have afghans to cover with.
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