Winter is coming. Out here in the Albuquerque desert (and surrounding areas) it gets downright cold!
We previously shared how you can cut down on heating costs this winter, but here are a few MORE tips that you can use!
Check out this great article that we thought you could benefit from!
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Dress for Cold Weather
Dress in layers; slap a pair of slippers on your feet, and add a hat to complete your “stay warm” ensemble.
Decorate for Warmth
Put flannel sheets on your bed, rugs on your floors, insulated curtains in your windows and warm blankets on your sofa. When it’s cold outside, nothing says money in the bank like a house that’s blinged out in warm accessories.
Take Advantage of Free Solar Heating
Open curtains during the day to allow the sun to warm your home; close curtains at night to trap in the heat.
Minimize the Use of Kitchen and Bathroom Fans
Fans suck out undesirable smells, but they also suck out a lot of hot air.
Change Your Filter Regularly
A dirty filter makes your furnace/heat pump work harder and leads to super scary numbers on your heating bill. Aim to swap yours out once a month.
Get Those Ceiling Fans Going
Hot air rises (naughty air). Run your ceiling fan in reverse to bring it back down to floor level.
Turn Down the Thermostat
A couple degrees cooler when you’re away or asleep can make a big difference on your heating bill (without any sacrifice from you).
Tip: Get a programmable thermostat, and let it make the adjustments for you.
Get an Energy Audit
You won’t find many doctors that make house calls these days, but you’ll still find plenty of energy auditors that do. Schedule an energy audit for your home (many utility companies offer them for free or a small fee), and find out where you could improve the efficiency of your home.
Also consider a smart meter.
Insulate. Then Insulate Some More!
Plug your zip code into the Department of Energy’s insulation tool, to find out how much insulation your home needs. Then, beef up your existing insulation as needed.
Give Vents the All Clear
Move all furniture and belongings away from your heating vents, so they can deliver all that heat that you’re paying for.
Don’t Let the Fireplace Put a Damper on Your Savings Efforts
Keep the damper closed when your fireplace isn’t in use to prevent all that snugly warm air from making a quick exit.
Get a Tune-Up
Keep your furnace or heat pump running at peak performance by having it tuned up by a professional once a year. It’s a small expense that could lead to big savings.
Dress Your Ducts
Heat loss happens to good people. Wrap those ducts tight, to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.
Kick That Old Unit to the Curb
Breakups are never easy, but if you’ve been with your heating unit for a long time, it may be time to put an end to the relationship.
Wrangle for a Better Rate
Feel like you’re paying too much for electricity, gas or oil? Then, shop around for a better rate. As long as you live in a deregulated state, there’s plenty of room to negotiate.
Read The Original Article Here
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So… What did you learn?
Is there something that you’d like to know about? Have questions about heating, cooling, or saving money on your electric bill? Let us know below!
