20 Ways to Slash This Winter's Murderous Utility Bills

 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.

 Nick Howes

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