How to cut your gas bill
With the changing seasons and winter on its way people are trying to figure out ways to save some money on gas. Running your how water heater and the furnace during the winter seasons can sometimes costs home owners enough money to sell. Here are some suggestions on how to cut your gas bill without freezing to death.
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- Check your thermostat. Turn your thermostat down lower at night than you have it during the day. When everyone's sleeping they can keep warm under the blankets. Turn the thermostat down to 65 degrees, or as cool as you can handle it and then when you wake up in the morning you can turn it back up. Family members can wear sweaters and slipper to keep from getting too chilly; keep some extra blankets around.
- Check your windows. There are several things to check during the winter months when it comes to windows. Here are a few things:
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- If your windows are not double paned the cold air is going to get into the house much easier and it will also cause a draft. You can buy plastic window seals to place over the entire window form "home" stores like Lowe's or Home depot than will help keep the cool air out and keep the warm air in.
- If you can, install double pane or storm windows before the winter season hits. It may costs a lot up front but it the long run it will save you a lot of money on the heating bill.
- If you have windows that will allow the sunlight in then open the shades or drapes and let as much in as you can. This will keep you house a little warmer during the winter months.
- Check to make sure that the glass in all the windows has fresh putty. If it is dry and cracked you might want to add some new sealant or weather stripping.
- Upgrade your insulation. One of the best ways to keep the warm air in and the cold air out is to make sure you have some good insulation in your home. If you haven't done so already consider checking your attic and outside walls to make sure you have adequate insulation. You can also insulate floors, as well as your garage if you have one. You can lose more heat through an un-insulated floor; as high as $500 a year.
- Close off vents in spare rooms. If you're not using the room then make sure the vent is closed or covered. It's silly to heat a room where no one is playing in or sleeping in. Only heat the rooms that you use.
- Install a wood burning stove. You're probably not too surprised to find out that using a wood burning stove to warm the room during the cold winter months will cost you less than if you turned the furnace up. If you have access to wood and already have a wood burning stove then you might consider starting to use it. It will warm up a room quickly and help cut your gas bill.
- During the Fall and Spring season turn your thermostat off completely. When the seasons are changing and the weather is just right you don't really even need to have your thermostat on at all. This will give you some serious cut backs on your gas bill for at least the month or so.
With gas prices as high as they are you owe it to yourself to figure out how to cut your gas bill this year. Hopefully some of these suggestions will work and you'll be able to save a penny or two.
