Home page                 Polls and Surveys                      sign our guest book                   Post your ideas!               Newsletter

The only way to save money on heat or cooling is to use it less. Of course comfort is my main concern and so I have here some ideas for comfort.

Heating

1. In the winter it is good to block the windows with thermal curtains or blinds. of course for the super budget savvy get some 1950's super heavy curtains. They are not in style so you could pay nearly nothing for them. of course heavy blankets will work on the coldest of days too.

2. Lower your heat and put on a sweater. If you or any of you family members will leave the house in the winter it is not healthy to keep the heat on so high anyway. The constant adjusting from hot to cold puts the body in a state that makes for more vulnerability to colds or even the flu. I think 70 degrees is a good temperature. Never go below 55 in the winter because if the pipes burst that is a financial nightmare! Use your own criteria in determining, of course. If you have infants, the elderly, or sick folk living in your home consult your doctor about the proper temperature.

3. Good time for using the oven to cook a nice home cooked meal. It's harder to feel stir crazy in the winter when your house smells of a delicious meal or dessert.

4. Don't block vents. This one is hard because it's easy to collect so much stuff and have no place for it. If this is a problem consider putting some furniture and large items that you don't have use for in the classifieds (you don't usually have to pay unless you charge more than $100) or have a yard sale. Of course you get a few extra bucks, but you will save on heating when vents are not blocked.

5. If you have the money, get a temperature control that will automatically change temperatures to be low at night and turn up in the morning when people get up. I don't remember them being bargains and if you are concerned about spending money I could put this off for a while. Of course there is nothing wrong with a person changing the temperature. We're not obsolete yet. :-)

6. The neck may actually be the most important part of the body to keep warm, but is often forgotten completely. Scarfs are very important and turtle necks (sweaters or cotton shirts) will help the same. Scarfs are in style to wear as part of your indoor outfit, so take advantage. Also, many studies have been done that find that when necks are covered there is a significant decrease in weather related illnesses. Plus you will feel warmer and not put your heat so high, and then you will have more money to pay your bills and your stress will be reduced. Just adding some dramatic flair.

7. If you can, block of heaters or turn them off in rooms that aren't being used. That way the heat in the parts of the house being used will get more heat without raising the temperature.

Cooling

1. Block the windows to stop the sun from coming in, just like outside it will be a couple degrees cooler in the shade.

2. Sometimes you may be able to go somewhere else on the hottest of days. For example the library, movie theater, coffee shop etc have air conditioning and it might be a nice change of pace to spend time there.

3. Don't use your oven in the summer. It isn't hard to heat up a house anyway, and activity will make you hotter.

4. Don't eat heavy food. heavy food is harder to digest and your body temperature will go up to help the digestion process.

5. Avoid caffeine on hot days. It dehydrates people and makes them more irritable in time. not good for the hottest of days.

6. Drink plenty of cold or cool water. The body absorbed cold liquids faster and you will find your self hydrated a bit quicker.

7. keep your neck cool. A nice cool towel will keep you comfortable when you sleep or lounge around the house.