How To Stay Warm This Winter On A Budget

If you live in an area of the country that gets cold in the winter, you’re probably gearing up for some hefty heating bills. Whether you heat with electricity, gas, oil or a combination of these, winter weather has a way of making our utility bills spike! Even if you have a wood-burning stove or fireplace, unless you have a source of free or inexpensive wood, this can drive up heating bills a bit, too. While it’s nearly inevitable that you will see some rise in your bills this winter, it is possible to stay warm without going broke. Here are some tips:

This one is obvious, but many people hesitate to actually do it because that means it is cooler in the house. If you can lower your thermostat just two or three degrees, though, you can see a savings of 5% on your utility bill. Most people do fine with their thermostats down around 66 to 68 degrees. Remember, it’s winter, so it’s fine to wear a sweater and socks in the house. If you have it as low as you can go comfortably, though, try just lowering it overnight, when you’re toasty warm under blankets anyway. Or buy a thermostat with a timer so the house can get down to, say, 62 or 64 degrees during the day when no one is home, and heat back up to a comfortable temperature an hour or so before everyone is expected to be home.

You know how baking a cake and running the clothes dryer makes the house uncomfortably warm in the summer? Well, use this to your advantage in the winter! While you should never, ever use appliances as heaters, it’s perfectly safe and smart to use your oven to cook dinner on chilly evenings. Getting a load of laundry started as soon as you wake up lets you throw everything in the dryer when you get out of the shower. This contributes to the warmth in that area of the home. Remember not to run heat-producing appliances when no one is home.

The draftiness, that is. Cover windows with insulation film and use caulking to plug up any areas that are allowing the cold wind to get into your home. You can use a rolled-up towel to block cold air from entering under doors leading to the outside. If you still have the screens in your windows, putting in the storm windows instead can also make a difference.

As the sun travels from east to west throughout the day, open the blinds and curtains on the “warm” side of the house, and close the ones on the “cold” side. This allows heat in when it’s directed toward your windows, but slows its escape out the other end of the house.

One of the best ways to stay warm is to cuddle up with your partner or your kids and have a hot drink. If you are home alone, snuggle with your pet or even a hot water bottle!

Keeping warm this winter doesn’t have to break the bank. Follow some of these tips and enjoy the season without being too cold or going broke!