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Saving Money On Home
Heating
- Heat your
home with energy that is cheapest in your area.
- Consider heating
your home with solar heat. It costs the least.
- Insulate your
water heater. This will pay for itself quickly.
- Open draperies
and shades in winter to let in sunshine.
- Keep thermostat
at 68 degrees; 55 degrees at night. Install an automatic timer.
- Heat only
those rooms that are in use.
- Cut heat loss
in half by weatherstripping doors and windows.
- Check for
cracks around fireplace. Keep heat in by caulking all cracks.
- Insulate your
attic and all outside walls.
- Be sure your
thermostat is not located in a normally cold or hot place.
- In winter,
set thermostat low. In spring and fall, turn off heat.
- Wear warm
(closely knit fabrics) clothing indoors during cold weather.
- When away
from home, turn off heat and hot water heater.
- Keep windows
closed during cold weather.
- Inspect your
furnace. Keep parts clean. Replace air filters when necessary.
- Wrap heating
ducts with duct tape where exposed to cold air.
- Don't peek
into the oven. You lose 20% - 50% of the heat each time you do.
- Have your
furnace serviced by an experienced professional once a year.
- Avoid use
of kitchen, bathroom fans in winter. They waste household heat.
- Keep fireplace
damper closed when not in use.
- Make sure
that furnace cold air register is not obstructed.
- Check efficiency
ratings before purchasing portable heaters of any kind.
- Cooking utensils
with flat bottoms and tight fitting covers save heat.
- Be sure pots
and pans are right size for range burners and elements.
- Plan some
meals so that entire meal can be prepared in oven at same time.
- Thaw frozen
meats to almost room temperature before cooking.
- Never use
range or oven to heat the kitchen. This could prove dangerous.
- Turn off oven
about 5 minutes before cooking time is over.
- Use storm
or thermal windows in cold areas.
- During winter
months, arrange furniture away from outside walls.
- Saving Money On Home
Heating
- Remove awnings
from sun-exposed windows during winter months.
- Insulate floors
over unheated spaces such as crawl spaces and garage.
- Close off
attic, garage, basement, spare bedrooms, storage areas, etc.
- An electric
blanket is much less expensive than heating your bedroom.
- Cover pots
and pans when heating liquids.
- Install storm
doors before cold weather arrives.
- Seal gaps
around pipes, wires, vents. Caulk baseboards.
- Turn off heat
when the fireplace is being used.
- A glass front
or glass screen will reduce fireplace heat loss.
- Dust or vacuum
radiator surfaces frequently.
- Don't forget
to weatherstrip your attic door to prevent heat from escaping.
- Insulate your
mattress and bed frame with plastic sheets.
- Repair holes
in roof, walls, doors and windows where heat may escape.
- Check to see
that glass in all windows have full putty.
- If wood is
inexpensive in your area, install a wood burning stove.
- Turn off your
furnace pilot light when heat is not necessary.
- Teach youngsters
to keep doors closed and other ways of conserving heat.
- Talk to your
utility company for other suggestions for saving heat.
- How To Save On Hot
Water
- Keep hot water
thermostat set at 110-120 degrees. (Most are set at 140 degrees).
- Repair faucets.
A dripping faucet can waste 15 gallons of hot water a day.
- Install an
automatic timer so water is heated only during hours needed.
- Wash clothing
in cold water with cold water detergent.
- Install an
aerator on your kitchen sink faucet to save on hot water.
- Save hot water
by installing a low-flow shower head.
- "Suds
savers" on washers allow you to reuse hot water for several
loads.