subject: Windmill Power - Easy Ways To Save Energy [print this page] With this fall's spike in oil and natural gas prices and the even more impact Hurricane Katrina will have on this winter's heating oil supplies, it's come to be much more essential than ever to make certain our homes are as cost effective as feasible.
Fortunately, there are a number of simple, inexpensive methods to button up your home for winter. Numerous cost-efficient products on the market for your windows and doors will go further toward conserving the heat you produce with your heating system.
Make certain your windows and doors are tight. Self-stick foam weather-stripping at the tops and bottom of windows, as well as across the separation among the top and bottom halves of the window, will stop drafts. Additionally, clear plastic, secured to the window frame with double-sided sticky tape, will also block out drafts and create an air barrier in between the window and you.
Additional weather-stripping across all 4 edges of doors will also help to block out the cold. Additionally, do not forget your water heater! You can purchase affordable padding to wrap around the unit itself, and sturdy foam insulation for all of the pipes.
The way you furnish your home can complement your level of comfort this winter. Thick, insulated drapes will reduce on drafts from windows; wall to wall carpeting will cut back on drafts from cold air coming in from gaps between walls and floors; both wall to wall carpeting and thick area rugs will retain heat and enhance your comfort.
Believe it or not, you can eliminate heat through the switch plates and wall plugs in your outer walls. An additional affordable product will solve that issue; for 3 or 4 dollars, you can buy insulated pads to install behind the plates. Simply remove the switch plate, pop in the suitable padding, and screw the switch plate back on. A single package includes insulated pads suitable for single and double on-off switch plates and two-plug outlets.
Experiment with the way you dress and determine if you can turn the thermostat down and nonetheless be comfortable. Wear warm fleece; keep your feet warm with thick socks and shoes or fuzzy slippers; even consider putting on a hat inside your home. You ought to be able to turn the thermostat down to a minimum of 68 degrees and still be comfy. If you have another source of heat - a wood, corn or pellet buring stove - consider using it as a primary source of heat.
If you have thermostats in every room, you might want to consider turning off the heat in empty rooms, or at least reducing the thermostat in those rooms to 55 degrees. If this is an alternative, be certain to place weather-stripping all over the doors to the unheated rooms.
Should you take careful stock of the heating problems in your house and take a few simple steps to fix those issues, you ought to be able to minimize the impact rising fuel prices will have on your winter heating budget. Keep warm!
