Cool Off Your Winter Energy Bill

You've budgeted for holiday gifts, meals, maybe a vacation—and with money tight, that doesn’t leave much room for home energy efficiency upgrades. Does that mean you’re powerless to lower your electric bill? Not at all. Keep your energy bill cool this winter with these tips and tricks.

Drape delivery. Are you using your curtains to retain heat? Open drapes and shades to catch free solar heat during the day. Close them at night to keep the heat inside.

Got tape? Though not as durable as foam or vinyl, you can use nonporous tape (first-aid cloth tape, for example) to keep cold air from squeezing into your home. Tape is good for blocking corners and irregular cracks and can be used at the top and bottom of a window sash, door frames, attic hatches and inoperable windows. Reinforce with staples if needed.

Be a fan of fans. Run ceiling fans on low and reverse the rotation to pull air up in winter. This keeps warm air circulating without cooling you. 

Free your vents. Your heater will have to work twice as hard if your air vents are blocked by rugs, furniture or drapes. Keep them clear to allow air to flow freely.

Garage drain. Leave your garage door down. A warmer garage in winter will save energy.

Rug relief. Have a spare rug? Use it to cover bare floors for added insulation.

Smart food. When cooking, keep lids on pots, and let hot food cool off before placing it in the refrigerator.
There are other ways to conserve energy. Remember, you don’t pay for what you don’t use. When you’re not watching TV or using lights, computers and other electronics, turn them off.