Winter is here, and that means higher heating costs for most people. It is especially hard on the budget for low-income households and older people on a fixed income. But there are ways in which you can prepare your home for winter and lower your heating costs at the same time.
Here are just 6 easy ways to save energy and save money:
1. Turn the thermostat down - try turning your thermostat down a few degrees. Why? For every degree you save 3 percent on your heating costs. Example: If your heating bill runs about $300 a month, turning the thermostat down just 3 degrees will save you $27 a month. This can add up over the winter months.
2. Reverse your ceiling fans - hot air rises, so reversing the direction of your ceiling fans will push the hot air downward.
3. Don't block heating vents - make sure the heat flows easily by re-arranging furniture so it doesn't block air coming from vents.
4. Insulation - make sure you have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic to keep heat from escaping through the roof.
5. Furnace filters - change furnace filters every month to keep the air flowing freely throughout the house.
6. Get FREE stuff - Go to www.dsireusa.org, the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, to learn how to get stuff for FREE that you can use to make your home more energy efficient, like free programmable thermostats and upgrades on insulation.. There are also many generous rebates and long-term, low-interest loans available for customers who switch to energy-efficient systems, such as solar water heating systems in Florida.
For more information on how to save money this winter, go to www.dsireusa.org/incentives/
