topic Re: How to save money this winter in Community Chat

How to save money this winter

feline groovy — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 02:33:49 GMT

7 tips that can help you save money and stay warm and safe this winter

Consumer Reports December 2022

With heating costs threatening to hit new highs this winter, these small changes to your home and your habits can help you stay toasty—and on budget—in the months ahead. You don’t have to try them all, but each will pare bills or improve comfort.

Lower Your Thermostats

The Energy Department recommends turning thermostats down 7° F to 10° F when you’re not at home and at bedtime to save up to 10 percent ($90) per year on an average heating bill. And consider a smart thermostat. “A smart thermostat can automatically adjust to your habits and changing weather via sensors,” says Rebecca Foster, CEO of VEIC, which administers energy efficiency programs, “so it does the work of optimizing performance for you.” These typically cost $100 to $300 but can save you another 8 percent on heating and cooling bills per year. As for your water heater, lowering it from 140° to 120° F and cutting 8-minute showers in half could save $168 a year.

Rethink Fireplace Use

“I love a crackling fireplace,” says Larry Zarker, CEO of the Building Performance Institute Inc., a nonprofit credentialing and standard-setting organization for the industry. But unless it’s properly maintained and used, a fireplace can send heating dollars up the chimney. (And because wood smoke can pose health risks, you may want to use fireplaces only occasionally.)

Have your chimney inspected and cleaned yearly, and use a fireplace screen to contain sparks. Close the damper between uses, and consider a chimney liner as well as tempered glass doors and a fireplace heat exchanger, which warms the air and sends it back into the room. Another idea: Apply sealant and weather stripping around the chimney to reduce air leakage by 14 percent or more. If you’re not firing up your fireplace at all, a fireplace plug (about $60) may be wise.

Dress Windows Well

Insulated cellular shades and thermal curtains can cut the amount of heat you lose through windows by 40 percent or more. Hang curtains close to the panes and let them drop to the floor or windowsill to further block drafts. Keep shades up and curtains open during the day to capture heat from the sun.

Flip Ceiling Fans

Reverse the rotation of your ceiling fan so that it turns clockwise. This helps to push any warm air that has risen to the ceiling down toward you.

Capture Cooking Heat

Done making dinner? Turn off the oven but leave its door open, says Christine Ciavardini of MD Energy Advisors, and let the residual heat warm up your home. You’ve paid for it.

Cozy Up Your Bed

Flannel sheets have fluffy, raised fibers that become heat-trapping pockets. Top them with a wool, fleece, down, or down-alternative blanket, and run a hot-water bottle or soapstone bed warmer ($47.50 to $57.50 from the Vermont Soapstone Co.) between the sheets before climbing in.

Layer Up

Instead of turning up the thermostat when you feel a chill, dress in layers you can put on and take off as needed. Start with a close-fitting top and bottom of performance material (think workout wear or long underwear), which helps lock in body heat, add fleece-lined slipper socks, and top with a wool sweater or fleece-lined sweatshirt.

Before stepping outside, layer up in wool or silk. (Both hold in warmth better than, say, cotton.) Cover extremities, which get chilled fastest. That means putting on a hat and gloves, along with warm boots.

Put ice melt outside your doorways and on walkways before a storm hits. Do it again once snow is falling, but stay inside if it’s sleeting.

In snowy, icy zones, it’s wise to have boots with “Arctic Grip” (tiny, spiky fibers) or “Green Diamond” (akin to sandpaper) soles. Or try slip-on ice cleats or microspikes, which provide traction. Four offered excellent grip on ice in CR’s review of the best ice cleats: Kahtoolas, Sportneers, Stabils, and Yatta. Yaktrax didn’t perform as well.

When you’re out walking, waddle in order to prevent slipping. Take short steps or shuffle with your feet flat and slightly pointed out and wider apart than usual. Bend slightly forward at your waist.

On the go, always have a charged phone with you in case you fall and need to call for help.

Re: How to save money this winter

alliswell — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 22:40:57 GMT

@feline groovy wrote:
7 tips that can help you save money and stay warm and safe this winter

Consumer Reports December 2022

With heating costs threatening to hit new highs this winter, these small changes to your home and your habits can help you stay toasty—and on budget—in the months ahead. You don’t have to try them all, but each will pare bills or improve comfort.

Put ice melt outside your doorways and on walkways before a storm hits. Do it again once snow is falling, but stay inside if it’s sleeting.

In snowy, icy zones, it’s wise to have boots with “Arctic Grip” (tiny, spiky fibers) or “Green Diamond” (akin to sandpaper) soles. Or try slip-on ice cleats or microspikes, which provide traction. Four offered excellent grip on ice in CR’s review of the best ice cleats: Kahtoolas, Sportneers, Stabils, and Yatta. Yaktrax didn’t perform as well.

When you’re out walking, waddle in order to prevent slipping. Take short steps or shuffle with your feet flat and slightly pointed out and wider apart than usual. Bend slightly forward at your waist.

On the go, always have a charged phone with you in case you fall and need to call for help.
_

First, Thank You for sharing the tips and information, @feline groovy

As for waddle-walking, I'm going to look to see if there's a video demonstraton of an older person (like me) actually "waddling" on an ice-covered sidewalk or parking lot.

Re: How to save money this winter

Snowpuppy — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:51:03 GMT

I went Old Skool and bought window kits for all my windows. Since we're going retro to 1980. 😳

Instead of the thin, cheap tape I've got Scotch Blue Painter's tape. Should be easy to remove.

Re: How to save money this winter

yamma024 — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 23:34:30 GMT

I love my Comfy in the winter. I like the Comfy dream lite better for inside. Use the Comfy with the sherpa for outside around the house.

Re: How to save money this winter

justashopper — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 23:56:15 GMT

HI @feline groovy

You forgot one-- stop watching QVC. LOL

Re: How to save money this winter

frenchie — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:05:27 GMT

@justashopper wrote:
HI @feline groovy

You forgot one-- stop watching QVC. LOL

I knew someone would go there!

Re: How to save money this winter

SilleeMee — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 01:02:43 GMT

I hate it when my feet are cold...makes the rest of me cold, too. So I always layer two pairs of socks and wear my furry bootie slippers a size larger so they fit over the layered socks.

Then to make things extra toasty w/o having to crank up the heat, I put down on the floor a heating pad under my feet and drape a Berkshire fluffie throw on top of me. Toasty tootsie delight.

Re: How to save money this winter

Malcontent — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 01:45:08 GMT

@SilleeMee

Just saw on the local weather for Colorado Springs high for Friday is 20?

Better have lots of socks ready.

Re: How to save money this winter

SilleeMee — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 02:11:30 GMT

@Malcontent wrote:
@SilleeMee

Just saw on the local weather for Colorado Springs high for Friday is 20?
Better have lots of socks ready.

@Malcontent

Yes! Just a few cold days coming but after that not too bad.

Re: How to save money this winter

Malcontent — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 02:22:55 GMT

@SilleeMee

You and your fur babies stay warm.

Re: How to save money this winter

qvcaddition — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 02:26:59 GMT

I don't live in snow, but I do most of what you said to do.

The flannel sheets, extra clothing and blankets. Sweater on the dog so I do not keep heat on at night.

I wake up at 6 AM and turn on heat to 70. Doesn't go any higher and go back to bed until dog wants to get up at 7.

I warm up the house like now, and soon will turn off heat. Dog has sweater, I have flannels on and a thermal robe.

I also have flameless candles in every room and in the fireplace. So the only light I have is the TV.

Now I have to figure how to turn TV off, because I fall asleep and wake up at 1AM. So a few hours it's running and I'm sleeping. Also have socks on from muk luks.

Good advice you gave.

I'm also on PGE payment plan. Low in winter and higher in summer.

Re: How to save money this winter

Lucky Charm — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 02:33:30 GMT

I open up all the blinds and the front door late morning and let the sun shine in. It heats the living room, dining room and my reading nook up nicely.

I do turn the heat down when I go to bed. I love to sleep in a cool room.

I never let the dishwasher go through the drying cycle, I turn that feature off and open the door after the sanitized cycle is done. No, there are not spots all over my glassware.

We use an outside oven in the summertime, but take advantage of the heat of the oven in the winter. Although, I do make several meals at one time in the oven. (If I'm making lasagna, I may make a meat loaf, too. Both pans fit.)

I still hang my wash outside on a line. All year. Everything, but unmentionables, although our back yard is kinda private. Most people here have a clotheslines for bathing suits, wet suits and beach towels, you don't have to live in a *poor neighborhood* to be able to do this....

Re: How to save money this winter

new nickname 4 — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 02:40:18 GMT

Sorry, I worked for 52 years to be able to live comfortably. I will admit things sometimes dictate cutbacks, but I'm 74 yrs old, and I already have my house set on 70 (instead of 75 2 years ago). I layer up, does media and or government suggest that I need to die a slow death to cold?

I earned the right to be warm, within reasonable limits. Maybe we need to reassess what is needed to keep Americans comfortable. And that includes commitment to ensure that we who live in the USA are cared for.

Re: How to save money this winter

SilleeMee — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 02:46:11 GMT

I have "comfort 365 windows' in my house. They're great except they don't allow the heat from the sun to come inside so even if I open all the window shades to let the sun it, it won't get much warmer. But on the flip side, my windows keep the heat from going out the windows b/c of the special glass in them.

Re: How to save money this winter

CalminHeart — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 13:33:29 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I hate it when my feet are cold...makes the rest of me cold, too. So I always layer two pairs of socks and wear my furry bootie slippers a size larger so they fit over the layered socks.

Then to make things extra toasty w/o having to crank up the heat, I put down on the floor a heating pad under my feet and drape a Berkshire fluffie throw on top of me. Toasty tootsie delight.

I use a heating pad occasionally too!

I lived in Minneapolis in 1972-1974. I was more concerned about style than protecting my feet from snow and cold. I still pay for those frostbitten big toes.

I finally tried Ugg Ultra mini boots and Tasman. I wear them as slippers. It's 21 degrees outside now, my thermostat is set at 66, and my toes are comfortably warm. When it's really cold, I wear a pair of socks with them. All I have to do is replace the Ugg insoles each fall. They're 3 years old and still look like new.

Re: How to save money this winter

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 13:52:51 GMT

We've got snow on the dome. Hubbs has been cutting wood.