Cut Your Heating Bill in Half This Winter

The weather is starting to cool down and soon most of us will be hit with a bill no one looks forward to—the heating bill. Prices are climbing, and it doesn't look like rates are going down any time soon. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to reduce the cost of heating your home this winter.

First, do an audit of your house and identify areas where heated air could leak out. Check around windows, doors, fireplaces, and any other areas that feel drafty. Close these costly leaks by using things like weather stripping, caulk and door sweeps. A tube of caulk will probably only cost around $5, but it can save you much more. Also, consider adding additional insulation if your house is poorly insulated. The cost of the insulation is sure to pay for itself in reduced heating costs.

Another way to save on heating costs is to only heat the areas where you spend the most time. If there are certain rooms you don't use on a regular basis, like a guest room, close the heating vents in those rooms and close the door. Also, make sure the room doesn't contain any pipes that might freeze, and beware of using this approach in damp rooms because mildew might form.

Did you know ceiling fans can actually help you keep your room warmer by circulating warm air that usually collects by your ceiling? You should also consider rearranging furniture in your home if the current arrangement blocks any heating units or vents. Cooking a lot during winter can be a great way to help heat up your home, but be sure to minimize the use of the ventilation fan above your stove (and in the bathroom too), seeing as ventilation fans can suck the heated air right out of your home.

It's also important to have regular maintenance on your furnace and or heating unit. Poorly tuned units are inefficient and use more energy. Dirty filters also reduce the efficiently of your heat plump or furnace. Getting regular maintenance may seem like an added expense, but it's sure to make your unit run more efficiently and prolong its life.

Hanging heavy curtains, cutting down on your shower time, washing your clothes in cold water and wrapping an insulation blanket around your water heater—all these habits will help reduce your heating costs during the winter.

I think the main thing you need to do in order to save on your heating bill is to make sure everyone in your household is on board. You can offer an incentive to your family (such as dinner out) if the heating bill is kept under a certain amount) to make them more excited about saving. I'd personally rather spend the extra money on a family activity than send it to the gas or electric company!

How will you save on your heating bill this winter? Let us know!