Since we have had a taste of winter this past week, I thought this may be the best time to talk about some things to do around the house to help save some extra money.
So much money is wasted during the winter months. I didn't realize how much, until I started doing some insulating, and the money fell off of my electric and gas bill. I was amazed at how a few simple steps really did help.
Start with windows. Those who do not have top of the line energy efficient windows need to insulate their windows. Some windows in my house that are not used as much are shrink wrapped. There is a product that is sold anywhere from Wal-Mart to Lowe's that is window film. To simply install it all that is required is what comes in the package and a hair dryer. This keeps the warm air from escaping and keeps the cold air out. The temperature difference in a room with insulated windows is amazing.
For doors, make sure they are as airtight as possible. Buy a very inexpensive door sweep and install. Install new sealing around the door if light can be seen through the edges of the door frame. All of this is very easy and takes less than 30 minutes to complete.
For a very inexpensive money saver, use draft dodgers or roll up towels and put them at the base of doors and windows. To make draft dodgers, measure the door or window width, cut the fabric slightly longer, sew it into a roll closing in one end, stuff with beans and rice and sew the end closed. The object is to keep in the warmth and keep out the cold.
On the inside and outside of doors and windows the frames might need to be caulked. Seal any gaps. Just a note that when caulking outside, make sure to use caulking for outdoors. While out there, take a walk around the house and look for any cracks or gaps. This is especially important for brick homes, as the mortar will sometimes chip away. If there are any cracks, caulk them using masonry caulk.
Another small thing to do to save big is to insulate light switches and plugs. Again, stores like Wal-Mart and Lowe's sell a box that has insulators meant for this purpose. Do this for all switches, especially the ones on the outside walls. It doesn't even seem that there could be any air escaping through this, but it does. Take off the switch plate on a cold day and put your hand by there. You will be able to feel cold air. These foam insulators keep out this cold.
Keeping your heat from coming on as much as possible really saves big. First of all, dress warmly. Don't walk around the house with shorts on and the heater cranked up. Not only does this waste money but that much heat in the house helps to trap in any germs that make it in and the next thing you know you have a sick family. At night, turn the heat down. It is not needed at full blast when snuggled under covers. Have it set with an electronic thermostat to heat back up 15 minutes before getting up in the mornings.
In our household we have room heaters that look like wood burning fireplaces, since we do not have the real thing. These will heat the room very nicely without having to use the heat so much. I even put a heater not far from the return register so when the heater is on, the heat doesn't come on, but we are still warm.
We also have blankets throughout our house. If we are sitting in a chair, not walking around generating any heat, we cover up with blankets. This may sound extreme but once you get used to the temperature being a few degrees lower, you won't be able to stand it being so warm inside and you will be saving money at the same time.
Since it is still early in the season and the really cold weather hasn't hit yet, this will hopefully give you time to get ready to save money this winter by using these simple steps.
Karen Green is a member of Chicks University at the Family Y in North Augusta.
