The Help Centers

With many are getting ready for winter. The concerns about heating costs are on everyone’s mind. As oil prices are high keeping warm almost seems a luxury. But rather than have icicles on ones nose when in the living room. I’ve complied a list of tips and tricks to keep a warm and happy wallet this winter.Read More Below...

CLOSE YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS!

Yes this may seem obvious but look around. Do you keep a window open for venting? Or keep the the inner door open on doors with storm doors? SHUT THEM. If you have a garage keep the garage door shut as much as possible.

Seal up your house

Be careful as a house that is TOO well sealed cannot breathe and this is bad. But make sure that your doors and windows have good weather stripping. Seal up holes and cracks in walls (both inside and out). Check around outside faucets. Often they have almost no sealant around them. (Whatever you use to seal these holes make sure it’s flexible and waterproof) check the attic for holes and cracks.

Insulate

Have you been up in your attic or crawlspace? Some older homes insulation is ‘worn out’ and has lost much of its insulating properties. Animals and rain damage can also degrade good insulation. An average homeowner with a buddy can spend a weekend and insulate the attic for considerable savings!

Pick a temperature

A temperature of 70 degrees will keep most family members comfortable. Try not to constantly adjust your thermostat. Find the best setting to keep the house comfortable. If you can try reducing the temperature 1 degree. If you can do this consistently for an eight hour period you’ll save 3% on your heating bill. Also a lower temperature makes your refrigerator and freezer work less saving money on the electric bill.

Install a timer

Regulate when your heater works to when you really need it. If everyone is gone during the day or at night when people are under covers let the temperature dip a bit. Some think that the costs of ‘reheating’ the house after letting it slide outweighs the cost of maintaining a higher temperature. This has been proven inaccurate.

Wrap yourself up

Rather than walk around in shorts and a t-shirt wear more layers of clothes around the house. It will keep you warm and not require you to keep the thermostat so high. Also heavy for windows and doors curtains can help keep your heating costs down. Just make sure they don’t block vents or radiators.

Heat only what you need

If you have an extra room that is rarely used (guest bedroom) close it up and try to block any heat from getting to there. Electric heaters are GREAT for this as you can turn down rooms when you’re not using them.

On Warm days Turn off the thermostat

On days you can open the windows turn off your thermostat. While the fresh air may feel good for the furnace it’s a LOT more work!

Throw a PARTY!

Every body puts out a bit of heat and when you have a bunch of people they can really heat up a room LITERALLY! Turn down the thermostat a little and the bodies will heat the rest!

Loose some weight

Ok this is a stretch as it’s more of a result of turning down the thermostat but keeping the house a little chilly will make your body burn more calories to maintain temperature. Also exercising will make your blood flow and keep your circulation (and in turn body warmth) going.

Cool your kitchen

Don’t worry about your kitchen being cold as cooking generates heat. Also eat in the kitchen together.

Maintain your furnace

In addition to safety concerns a clean furnace is an efficient furnace. Dirt, soot, clogged filters and worn parts can GREATLY decrease the efficiency of any heater as much as 10%.

Go out

Turn down the thermostat and leave your house! Ride public transportation or carpool to the local mall.

I know there are bunch more tips out there and if you have any please comment on them as I and my readers would like to know!