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20 Ways to Slash This Winter's Murderous Utility Bills
Written by: Nick Howes
1. Close doors and close heat registers in little-used rooms.
2. Set the daytime thermostat lower than usual. Each degree
reduced saves 2%-3% on heating costs.
3. Lower the thermostat at night and use an electric blanket.
4. During the day, open drapes and shades on the sunny side of
the house to let in the heat of the sun. Close them at night to
slow heat loss.
5. Water heater tips: Wrap an insulation blanket around older
water heaters to conserve the heat. Periodically, drain your
water heater to extend its life and improve its efficiency.
6. Use a water-saving showerhead and sink aerators to reduce
hot water usage.
7. Reduce the temperature on the water heater. You can see
7%-10% savings in related costs. Use the "normal" or 120 degree
setting, unless your dishwasher requires higher.
8. Wrap insulation around the pipe leading out of your water
heater to the wall or the first five feet of pipe, whichever is
appropriate. 9. Clean or replace furnace filters monthly.
10. Warm air rises and it's wasted near the ceiling. A ceiling
fan with reversed blades forces it down and circulates it.
11. Use storm windows which can reduce heat loss by 25%-50%,
storm doors, and inexpensive caulking to prevent heat leakage.
Caulking with silicone content is best; one tube is enough to
properly seal one window.
12. In your home, heating systems dry the air and dry air is
more easily chilled. Use a dehumidifier. If you have radiator
heat, you can put a pan of water on the radiator or you can
place a pan of water on the stove.
13. When not in use, turn off all appliances, lights,
electronics, etc.
14. Clean vent spaces with vaccuum cleaner or broom and make
certain they are clear of obstructions.
15. Substitute short showers for baths. Near the end, close the
stopper and catch a little water in the bottom to add humidity
to the air.
16. Repair leaky faucets promptly.
17. Replace standard light bulbs with comparable compact
flourescent lamps. They are more costly but longer lasting.
18. Add attic insulation. You can buy big rolls and spread them
in the attic.
19. Have your heating equipment checked by a qualified
technician to judge efficiency. Heating equipment often accounts
for about half of your winter energy costs.
20. Roll up a bath towel and put it at the bottom of any doors
to the outside. Or you can buy or make a door draft dodger which
in its most basic form is a cloth tube filled with sand. Feel
cold air from your wall or baseboard light switches? Hardware
stores sell kits that you can use to block cold air coming
through those switches.
About the author:
Nick Howes is author of numerous magazine, newspaper, and online
articles and news director at WNSV-FM, Nashville, Illinois. He
and Pat Swann operate a website...The Book Nutz at
http://home.midwest.net/~howes which includes an online
newsletter and used books sales.
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