How to Save Money on Heating Bills

Affordable Ways to Stay Warm in Winter

Oct 11, 2009 Jocelyn Wyatt

This article contains several affordable ways to stay warm without costing too much money. It is easy to save money on electric, wood, gas, and propane bills.

Below you will find a list of money saving tips as well as explanations as to why they work. By using these tips, saving on the cost of heat in one’s home this winter does not have to be as frigid as it could be. With the economy as it is, people are in need of money saving tips more than ever. Heat is a necessity to live. When a person lives where the winters hit freezing temperatures, unfortunately this necessity is something many people cannot afford.

Ten Affordable Tips to Keep Kids and Adults Warm This Winter

Make sure every member of the household wears long johns and socks/slippers. Long johns are simple heat retaining underwear that are like pants and long sleeved shirts. Usually they have a fitted cut and are very comfortable to wear; this makes them easy to wear under clothing while adding an amazing amount of heat in the process. A person can buy high quality thermal underwear at affordable prices online buy simply searching Google.

Try sleeping together as the additional body heat will keep everyone very warm during the night. When several people sleep in the same bed, their combined body heat is trapped beneath the layers of quilts and blankets. High quality quilts and blankets can usually be found online as well as at thrift stores and yard sales at affordable prices. Many layers of blankets can keep people warm enough at night that they can set their heaters to a low temperature and thus save on heating bills. These savings add up fast.

If a person keeps a house dog or cat, add them to the bed as well. Even a little dog can churn out much needed additional heat.

Seal and Cover Windows with Drapes to Save on Heating Bills

Use heavy drapes over the windows at night while opening the ones facing the sun during the day. The drapes prevent heat from leaving the house on cold nights. When heavy drapes (or extra blankets) are used on windows, they will block cold air from entering the house. Additionally a person can block off all unused/seldom-used rooms from being heated using heavy blankets or some type of temporary walling. Good rooms to heat would be the living room and bedrooms.

Line all of the windows with plastic to help prevent heat sapping air leaks. Adding plastic to windows will help with insulating as well. This works especially well if windows have cracks running through them. Caulking holes, cracks, and crevices will help to keep the hot air inside while blocking cold air from entering. Caulk all cracks and crevices around the house to prevent cold air from coming in and heat from leaving.

Lower the Thermostat to Keep Bills Reasonable

Set the thermostat to 60 degrees at night. When used to warm weather the drop in temperature from the 70 degrees to 60 degrees can be harsh. Staying active and wearing layers can really help the transition be more comfortable. A person will not freeze to death in 60-degree weather; it can just be uncomfortable at times.

A Few Easily Forgotten Common Sense Tips for Staying Warm

Layer blankets to stay warm at night. Wool is a good choice as it is extremely warm, breathable, as well as durable. Fleece type blankets are good for trapping heat as well as just feeling nice against the skin.

Staying active can help keep a person’s mind off of a chilly house until they are accustomed to the lower 60 degree temperature.

Keep all heaters clean. Make sure wood burning stoves, electric heater filters, and any other heating appliances have been and are kept clean as this will allow them to do a better job at heating. Not just for heating purposes but safety as well; keep heaters and heater filters clean at all times. Make sure there is ample space between a heater and any objects that could encounter it. It is better to be safe than to be truly sorry. Space heaters that are blocked by curtains, clothing, chairs, and various other things start many house fires.

One thing that is easy to forget is that by adding a ceiling fan and setting the blades rotation for winter the fan will push the heat from higher levels of a room down to where the people are. It will keep it warmer inside if done properly. See owner’s manual for additional instructions on how to use fans for winter heating.

Keeping warm this winter can be affordable if simple, energy saving steps are followed. The savings add up surprisingly fast and can be seen as soon as the next load of lumber, tank of gas, or electric bill. Play it safe this winter and make sure to keep warm.

Additional Money Saving Articles:

Cheap and Fun Things to Do With Kids

Creating a Budget

The copyright of the article How to Save Money on Heating Bills in Personal Budgeting/Finance is owned by Jocelyn Wyatt. Permission to republish How to Save Money on Heating Bills in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.