7 Tips to Saving Money and Energy This Winter

Summer is long gone and winter is rapidly descending upon us. Where I live in Ohio, we've already had our first "snow showers" and it's not even Halloween yet. It looks like we better brace ourselves for a long and cold winter ahead..Saving energy during the cold winter months is also saving money. Here are some simple and inexpensive things you can do to maximize your savings on both:

• Take advantage of the sun's natural heat:

If you have south-facing windows, open your curtains during the day to allow the sunlight to naturally heat your home. This lessens the need for artificial heat. You can take a lesson from your cat as it basks in the sun's warmth for it's afternoon nap. Make certain to close your curtains at night, however, to reduce the chill from cold windows.

• Cover drafty windows:

Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to reduce infiltration. Plastic sheeting is sold by the yard in fabric stores or most hardware departments sell it in pre-measured rolls. Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing. You can reduce heat loss from your room by 10 percent. For maximum effectiveness, draperies should be hung as close to windows as possible.

• Adjust the Temperature

When you're at home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. Invest in a portable space heater to warm just the room you're in. This reduces the need to raise the thermostat to heat your entire house. Space heaters are affordably priced. They virtually pay for themselves with the money you'll save before winter is through. When you're asleep, set your thermostat back 10 - 15 degrees. If your chilly, you can always throw another blanket on. Since your asleep, you probably won't notice the difference. When you are gone from the house, especially when you leave for work, turn the thermostat back. A thermostat set back 10 - 15 degrees for the eight hours you're at work, can reduce your heating and cooling bills by ten percent.

• Find and Seal Leaks

Seal the air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. Also look for cracks and gaps around mail chutes, electrical and gas service entrances, cable TV and phone lines, dryer vents, air conditioners and vents and fans. Add caulk or weather-stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.

• Maintain Your Heating System:

Schedule a service check and learn what maintenance is required to keep your heating system operating at peak efficiency Replace you furnace filter once a month or as needed. If you have a wood or pellet burning heater, clean the flue vent regularly. Clean the inside of the appliance with a wire brush periodically to ensure maximum performance.

• Reduce Heat Loss from the Fireplace:

Unless you have a fire going, keep the damper closed. An open damper is like keeping a window open all winter. It allows the air in your home to go right up the chimney. When your do use the fireplace, open the dampers in the bottom of the firebox to reduce heat loss. If your fireplace does not have a firebox, open the nearest window just slightly, no more than an inch, and close doors leading into the room. Lower the thermostat setting to approximately 55 degrees. If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue. If you do use the fireplace, install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room. Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible. Purchase grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool air in the room into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room. Add caulking around the fireplace hearth.

• Lower Your Water Heating Costs

Water heating is a year round expense that can account for anywhere from 14 - 25 percent of the energy your household consumes. Turn the temperature down on your water heater to the warm setting (120 degrees) which also reduces burns.As the temperature drops and energy costs rise, these simple tips will maximize the energy you'll save this winter. And when it comes to your winter energy bill, the energy you save is equal to the money you'll save.

About the Author
Joni Keith is an accomplished writer having had her first work published at the age of eight. Her love of writing has been fueled by her passion to educate people on renewable energy sources. Please Click Here! to learn more about renewable energy. Click Here! to visit GreenLiving