5 Free Ways To Save On Heating Bills

Nobody likes having to come just short of giving body parts to the gas company every winter. Keeping a home warm can be costly and frustrating.
 
Sure, you could spend a ton of money weatherproofing your home but you then have to wonder "just how much did I save?" versus how much you spent. Here's a few free/cheap tips to lower heating costs this winter without a whole lot of effort...
 
1. Cover Electrical Outlets - The outside-facing walls in your home are generally big sources of heat loss. On a cold or windy day find an electrical outlet on an outside-facing wall (not a wall between 2 rooms). Chances are you'll feel cold air or even a breeze. You can get nice cheap plastic covers for your outlets (usually meant for childproofing) or you may have some laying around the house already. I had a handfull in a drawer that came free with powerstrips. In a pinch, use some clear tape (don't use tape that will leave sticky residue).
 
2. Use Your Blinds or Curtains - Effective use of window coverings is easy. Open your blinds or curtains in the morning to let in as much sunlight as possible. Heating your home with sunlight is free! Just as importantly, close them at night. Closing the blinds helps create another layer of insulation. Windows are typical sources of air leaks in most homes so creating a little extra barrier against the cold never hurts. In addition, closing the blinds at night keeps the neighbors from seeing your bits and pieces.
 
3. Change Your Air Filter(s) - All houses and even some apartments have at least one filter in the heating system. Typically near the furnace your filter in a thin cardboard tray that slides in and out of the vent system. Each filter manufacturer has different recommendations but replacing them every 90 days is typical. If you smoke or have pets, you may want to replace them more frequently. If your filters become clogged with dust and debris, the fan in your air system will have to work that much harder to push air through. Cheap air filters are usually around $5. If you have trouble remembering when to replace them, use a marker to write the replacement date on the side.
 
4. Use Air Vents Properly - If you have at least 2 stories on your home, you should be opening/closing the registers (vents) in your home seasonally. In the winter when the heat is being used, close the vents upstairs. Heating the downstairs will more efficiently warm the whole house and will prevent the upstairs from getting too warm. Do the opposite in the warm months. Keep doors open to aid in airflow and if any rooms are unused, close both the door and the vents to that room.
 
5. Block Breezes With Towels - Remember back in your college years when you would roll up a towel and place in at the bottom of your door to prevent "suspicious odors" from escaping? That same technology might save a few bucks this winter. Rolled up towels can be placed at the base of external doors and even at the base of windows. Sure, it looks ghetto but it's easy to hide them when guests are expected. Most of these tips are effective in the summer too!