Looking for fast, free ways to save on energy around the home this winter? There are many common-sense things you can do everyday in your home to lower energy bills:
Tip #1: Lock your windows
Don’t just close them, but lock them to create an airtight seal that keeps out air leaks and drafts.
Tip #2: Close the doors
Close doors in rooms with minimal use (and the heating vents) like walk-in closets, laundry rooms and guest bedrooms, to reduce heat use in those areas.
Tip #3: Turn off lights
When leaving a room, turn off the lights or add occupancy sensing switches that will turn lights off when no one is around.
Tip #4: Let the sun shine
Get free solar heat by opening the blinds and shades on your windows during the day.
Tip #5: Chill out
Chill out and do your laundry in cold water.
Tip #6: Lower thermostat
Add a sweater and lower the thermostat. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you may be able to save 5 percent on heating costs.
Tip #7: Do dishes efficiently
Run only full loads in your dishwasher.
Tip #8: Clean dryer vent
Remove lint often from your clothes dryer and its outside vent. And, run your dryer in the evening, when the extra heat helps warm your house.
Tip #9: Use power strips
Plug power-draining computers and electronic equipment into a power strip with a switch, so they can all be easily turned off when not in use.
Tip #10: Use blankets!
Snuggle up under more blankets at night and turn your heat down lower to reduce energy costs.
Storm windows do help a lot, but if your windows are losing heat or have an air leak, a replacement window is probably a good idea. Also, contact your local power or gas utility and see if they have a rebate plan for replacing your windows. It doesn’t pay for them completely, but can significantly reduce the price, sometimes even making them cheaper than storm windows!
You don’t need to buy expensive replacement windows. You can get equivalent efficiency by adding storm windows to your house or repairing/replacing the ones you have. It’s cheaper, giving you faster payback.
Allergists will disagree with the cold water washing. So you save a little on electricity, but spend it on medical care when your allergies get out of control. Also, hot water is the only way to kill bed bugs, lice, bacteria, and other unpleasent critters that may invade your home.
So what is the best temperature to keep your house set at in the day and at night?
All these are fantastic tips for winterizing your home. Last winter I took a majority of these steps, but still found our home was freezing and we could not figure out why. We finally realized that even though we locked our windows, our seal was broken creating a horrible draft. And living in Indiana, our winters can be quite chilly. So this year before the winter months we used a Indiana Window replacement company that was fantastic! Now our home is air-tight and warm.
So word of warning, if you are still feeling a draft this winter, check your window seal so you don’t suffer through a breezing winter like we did!