A lot of people in the United States (and other countries) are having financial trouble, and heating their homes this winter may not be as easy as it used to be. Here are some tips to save money (and energy!) by doing some simple things this winter.
- Switch all of the lightbulbs in your house to energy efficient, fluorescent light-bulbs. They will save you money and electricity. Usually they last longer than regular light bulbs. Be absolutely sure to dispose of them properly.
- Don't crank the thermostat way up. You really don't need to have the heat above 66 degrees. That's a comfortable temperature for me at least, and it should be fine. It's amazing how something so easy could make such a difference in your heating bill. If you're coming inside from the cold, and you need to get warm, then make a fire in the fireplace. If you don't have a fireplace... then make a warm drink for yourself!
- Check to see if your windows are well insulated. Last winter, I checked my windows for insulation. There was barely ANY! Just go to your local hardware store, and pick up some foam insulation. (The kind that comes in a can) Make sure you use enough insulation for each window. I use about ¾ to 1 and ¼ of a can for each window.
- Cover your windows with plastic. Yes, that's right. You can keep your home much warmer just by covering windows with plastic. If cold air gets through your windows, it won't go any further than the plastic.
- Install a water saving shower-head in your shower. It won't reduce the water pressure, but it could save you a lot of money a year depending on the size of your family.
- Always take showers and not baths. Baths use MUCH more water than showers do.
That's about it for this article. Obviously there is a lot more you can do to save energy and money, but you probably already knew that. Have a nice winter everybody!
