It is so cold. I just took all of my winter clothing out of storage. It is always a said day when I have to grab my sweaters and heavy jackets. However, it was so cold last week that I did not have a choice. Here I am airing everything out and gather my summer clothes to replace the ones I just took out.
Earlier this year I made a promise to myself that would use my furnace and less by incorporating different things to generate heat and lock it inside instead relying solely on my furnace. Although it is a new furnace, I had it replace last year, I would love to keep it in good condition.
What I plans to do this winter are the same thing I started doing last year that shown great ingenuity and gas bill reduction.
In the winter, I always cook and bake more. Yes something as small as Turing on the oven makes a great difference in temperature and in cost. In my house, we eat a lot of casseroles drug the winter for just this reason. You have to remember that the stove generates heat, as does your furnace. Use this to supplement the furnace.
Another thing that I always do a few months before winter is to check the house for air leaks and gaps. I make user I caulk all windows sills and doors. Staple plastic on the windows with a tight fit. In addition, I check and replace any weather stripping that need it. You have to make sure to seal you house. A tight seal means that your furnace or whatever you are using to heat your home does not have to work as hard. Because the heat is not escaping outside through gaps and leaks.
My mom gave me this tip a few years ago. Replace all those fence and efficient CFL bulbs with some of those regular non-efficient bulbs. Those type of bulbs generate heat. Heat that can warm you harm as well as tots your bread. Those few months that winter last its ok to use the regular bulbs instead of those swirly CFL’s bulbs.
One of my favorite smells in the entire world is the smell of wood or leaves boring. It give mess such a warm and toasty feeling inside that I always think of home. Therefore, you already know that I love using my fireplace. Seven years ago, when I was shopping for a house the first thing on my list was to have a working fireplace or wood burning stove. I lucked up and purchase my dream home with a fireplace for a bargain. In order to give my furnace a rest I heat my home with wood during the night. It works great!
This is a new option that I have yet to try yet and I will not be able to until next spring. I just learned that if you strategically plant shrubs and trees around your home it will affect the heating and cooling of your home. That it allows the home to take advantage of the sun’s natural heat from its rays.
For the past few years, each of these minus the last thing has allowed me to heat my home with giving me a heart attack every time my gas bill comes through the mail. I am always looking for different ways to heat my home and save some money. In addition, this has really helped me do both.