How to Reduce Your Heating Costs This Winter.
Time to face the inevitable...winter is coming. However, this year will be quite different from years past. The US Energy Information Administration has forecasted much higher home heating costs, projecting that heat oil will rise 40% in the Northeast, Natural Gas will rise 30%, propane will rise 54%, and electricity will rise 6%. Imagine electricity being the cheapest way to heat your home- well, it’s become the reality!
In an effort to lessen the blow to our wallets, here is a list of some simple things that you can do to conserve as much heat as possible. Give them a try, because what have you got to lose? (Except maybe a lot of money…)
1. Use a programmable thermostat. These are inexpensive and a great way to regulate the amount of times your system "kicks on" throughout the day. Setting it to 63 when you are sleeping and even lower when you head to work or school can save a LOT of money, over time. In fact, studies have shown that lowering your thermostat just 10 degrees can save you 10% annually!
2. Bundle up, for real. We all had to do it growing up, and in my house we are pretty adamant about it (ask my kids)! This is the easiest way to keep that thermostat down and everyone comfortable. Warm socks, a robe, your coziest sweatshirt, and maybe a nice throw blanket on the back of the couch should all be part of your cold-weather arsenal. Don’t forget to keep an extra blanket or two on the end of your bed. It can get pretty chilly during the night!
3. Cook and bake at home. Who doesn't love the smell of a hearty soup on the stove or a roast cooking in the oven? Doing more cooking at home won't just save you money on the restaurant bills, but will also help to heat up your kitchen and lower your heating costs. A win-win!
4. Use that giant fireball in the sky! We know that the days are definitely shorter, but the sun is still a great (and cost-free) way to heat the rooms of your home. Open your blinds or curtains and feel that temperature rise! But don't forget to close them tight in the evening; You’re going to need that extra layer of insulation once the sun goes down.
5. Unused room? Close it down! If you have a spare room that has recently been vacated (kids heading off to college or maybe after a big yard sale), shut them down. Close the door and only heat the areas of your home that you are currently utilizing. Make sure that you don't let it get too cold in there, though, because you don’t want to burst your pipes!
6. Check windows and doors. Most homes today have pretty tight windows and doors. However, us New-Englanders live in an area with a HUGE amount of older homes. The quickest way to secure a window and minimize leaks is to lock it. Simple as that. If you have a leaky older window and can't replace it, head to the hardware store and get a weatherization kit. It's not beautiful, but it works. If you have multiple exterior doors, choose one that's away from the main living space and stick to it! And if you have a drafty one, use those great gap door draft busters that your grandmother had.
We don't know exactly what this winter will bring, but we can say with confidence that it will be cold, windy, and have a mixed bag of precipitation. Prep early. Be diligent. Save the money where you can. And if all else fails, keep your fingers crossed that good old Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow!