Let’s face it folks, our electric companies continue to operate on a for profit basis and must continue to reward their shareholders in the form of dividends. The cost of electricity and heating oil continues to rise. Our only relief from this expense is to be wise in our demand for electricity and heating fuels. Why would anyone willingly give away hard earned money to utility companies and share holders by wasting valuable water and energy?
This feature focuses on preparing yourself for winter and some general tips on energy conservation. If you have any additional ideas, please share your thoughts with everyone else. Some of these tips may seem like no-brainer solutions, but few people actually implement them.
- Perform a function check on your heating system NOW. DO not wait until you NEED to use it during the first cold snap of the winter. If you require any repairs or maintenance, you will have more luck in getting it repaired now than if you wait until when everyone else needs their heaters fixed. Typically, heaters will burn dust and give off that burnt odor. You can open your windows during fall type weather to allow these odors to dissipate. If you wait until it is too cold outside, you will be trapped with these burnt odors.
- Be smart about using your thermostat. Set and keep your thermostat at 68 degrees or below. Experts state that you can save 5 percent of your heating bill for each degree you lower your thermostat below 70 degrees. Most frugal people will lower their thermostat while they are sleeping to reduce their heating requirements. Experiment with this and see what your threshold is for comfort. Many people find that 55 degrees works out during sleeping hours.
- Check and replace your heater filter. This applies year round, pay particular attention during winter months. When your filter is “dirty” it restricts air flow entering your heating system. This means that less air is circulated through your heater and it becomes less efficient. General guidelines recommend replacing your filter at least once a month during peak use. If you find excessive dust in your home, we would recommend replacing it more often than once a month. Replacement filters can become a little costly. Consider purchasing those washable filters. This is frugal and reduces sending the disposable ones to the land fill.
- Your water heater is one of the least efficient appliances in your home. Be smart about your water heater. Turn your heating temperature down to 120 degrees or on the normal seating. Insulate to pipes going out of your water heater. Insulate any accessible pipes to reduce heat loss. You can pick up pipe insulation rather cheap at your local hardware or home improvement store. Install flow restrictors (aerators) on your faucets and shower heads. When it comes time to replace your water heater, consider the new efficient on-demand water heaters or “Energy Star” rated appliances. Some Energy Star appliances may cost a little more than a cheaper model, but will save money in the long run.
- Dishwashers have become modern conveniences in most households in America. If you use a dishwasher, run it only when you have a full load to save electricity and hot water. Set you drying mode to air dry only. If you use only a few dishes, consider washing these by hand, the old fashioned way. Fill one basin with hot soapy water to wash the dishes and rinse with water sparingly. Use a drying rack and towel dry the dishes.
- You can save money when doing your laundry this winter and throughout the year. Most household heating systems dry out the air. If you seal up your outside vent and allow your dryer to vent to the inside, you can provide moisture and heat back into the home. Place an old nylon panty hose over the exhaust vent and check it regularly. Wash close only in cold water. Modern detergents clean most clothes very well in cold water. This will save use of hot water. Consider using a drying rack to dry your clothes. In the winter, you will need to find a suitable place indoors to dry these clothes. We typically hang clothes on our shower curtain rod.
- A fireplace can be a romantic touch to a cold winter night, but most fireplaces are extremely inefficient. Ensure your damper or flue is closed when not in use. If you desire to use a fireplace during the winter and have a suitable source of inexpensive or free firewood, consider getting a fireplace insert. You may even get a federal tax break for a fireplace insert. Another option is to use a wood burning or pellet stove as a primary heat source. Last winter, we used our wood burning stove as our primary heat and saved a bundle.
- If you have ceiling fans, remember to switch them to reverse the air flow and pull the warm air from the ceiling to floor level.
- Take advantage of solar heat gain. If you have any windows on the southern side of your home, open any curtains, drapes or shades to allow the sun to assist in heating these areas.
- Check for air leaks and seal them up. You will find these leaks around door frames, windows, around plumbing connections, around electrical connections, floors and ceilings. Use caulk or insulating expandable spray foam to seal these cracks. Be sure to check/replace the rubber seals on the bottom of your exterior doors.
- Check insulation and consider adding additional insulation. Most builders only add enough insulation to get by. You may want to evaluated your insulation needs and purchase what you need to keep the heat in your home this winter.
- Bundle up and get cozy. Get used to your house being a little cooler from turning down your thermostat. You can stay warm by putting on a sweater, robe, sweatpants, and sitting with a throw blanket when reading or watching TV. Get in the habit of wearing socks around the house as well.
- There are numerous ways to conserve energy while cooking this winter. We are fortunate to use our wood burning stove as a heat source and a method to cook soups, stews and chili during the winter. We can slow cook a pot of belly warming stew on the wood burning stove and save energy. We boil water to add humidity back to the house and provide hot water for tea, ciders, washing dishes and bathing.
- Only heat those areas being used/occupied. Close heating vents and doors in those rooms you do not use. You will save energy by not having to heat these spaces.
- Holiday decorations and lighting. Be wise when it comes to decorating for the holidays. Use timers to control interior lighting for your decorations and tree. For outdoor lighting, consider reducing the amount of lights for your display. Always use timers and set them to go off at bedtime. Most people use the local late news as a time to turn off their holiday lights. Consider replacing older lighter with more efficient LED lights.
- If you haven’t replaced all of your incandescent lights in your home to compact fluorescent or LED lights yet, continue to do so. This will save considerable amount of energy.
- Continue to be aware of vampire power loss. Unplug all appliances when not in use. All appliances with clocks consume unnecessary power—this includes DVD players and microwave ovens.
- We will publish additional information on energy conservation and savings in the future, but please feel free to add your own ideas by providing comments.
- Now take a look around your home and see how you can save on your energy bill and be part of the frugal revolution.
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