Six Ways to Save on Your Heating Bill

The leaves are turning, the days are shorter. There's an unmistakable chill in the air—you know winter is just around the corner. When winter comes, heat and energy bills inevitably rise. To avoid being shocked by the amount due on your first bill, be pre-emptive. Here are some tips you can try to help decrease heating expenses during fall and winter months.

1. Turn down the thermostat. Set the thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and even lower during the night. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to automatically change at a certain time. If it seems chilly, put on a sweater and keep blankets handy.
2. Keep heating vents clear. Vents, radiators and cold air returns blocked by rugs, furniture and dust prevent heated air from circulating efficiently.
3. Have storm doors and windows installed. Ask your landlord to install these valuable insulators. The layer of air between the panes of glass acts as insulation, and helps keep the heat where you want it —inside.
4. Use fans wisely. Run bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans only when you need to, like when you're in the shower or are cooking on the stove top. Exhaust fans are designed to pull hot air up and out of a living space, which wastes heat in the winter and could cause the furnace to run more.
5. Use curtains. Open curtains and shades on south-facing windows during the day to allow solar radiation to warm a living space. Close all curtains at night to help prevent the escape of heat.
6. Seal drafts where possible. Cover interior of windows with shrink-film plastic, which can be found at hardware stores. Also, cover wall-mounted air conditioners with plastic film or an air-tight cover, preventing any potential air leaks.

More Budget and Planning Articles »