I try to use space heaters in individual rooms rather than heating the whole place. Also, I try to recapture heat from the oven after cooking or the humidity from showers to keep my place warm and comfortable.
I keep heating costs low by never using my heater, opening my blinds to let the sun in, and wearing warm pajamas and hats. Luckily, it's only me so I'm the only one who has to worry about being cold. I also live in Southern California so there are only a few nights out of the year that get to about 30ish. On those nights, I use a space heater to just warm things up in my bedroom before I go to sleep.
We use small electric heaters in the rooms we are in and keep the oil heat lower in the other rooms. Surprisingly it only raises our electric bill slightly but we are much warmer. We have a huge old house to heat so we do what we can to save.
I'm a huge fan of layered clothing and warm socks! I don't like my house to be warmer than about 65 degrees, which is already cool for many people. I'm in the process of building a tiny house, which will be heated mainly with a very small wood stove. Otherwise, I will be getting a small space heater with a high efficiency rating.
Keep blinds wide open during the day - especially on the sunny side of the house. I usually put a new sweep strip on the bottom of all doors that lead outside, as well as the cushioned strips in window tracks.I also use draft dodgers ar outside doors. I reverse my ceiling fans to push warm air down. I also dress warmer without putting on clothes to restrict movement. I make sure I close the lined, weather blocking curtains on the side of the house that does not receive sun. I also cover up with a throw when I am sitting, so I don't feel the need to up the heat. The final thing I do is make sure my inside ceiling fan door is not askew and letting heated air go into the attic, I even added thick foam insulation around the door this year.
Luckily I live in Florida, so it doesn't get too cold in winter. It does get a little chilly for a couple months, and I make sure everything is well insulated and that there aren't little leaks in the windows or doors. And when I'm cold, I bundle up rather than turn on the heat which runs quite inefficiently.
I get to take advantage of having downstairs neighbor by getting a little of their residual rising heat. Keeping extra blankets and warmer sweatshirts around is a must for me.
I see all these articles that say nurses earn such great salaries. But this is very dependent on demand and where you live. Benefits are often lousy. I am at $40,000 with a BSN and many years experience. Student loans will haunt me forever. Statistics are just that- statistics. There is much more to the story.
While its easy to just tell someone to bundle up and throw on a sweater, I don't think that's the tips we are looking for.
Renting gets tricky, since I cant make huge changes like install insulation or add a wood burning fireplace, however, simple things make a huge difference too. 1. I installed a programmable thermostat. Before I go to bed, and before I leave for work, the temperature drops... no point in heating an apartment when I'm not there, and I get better sleep with a cooler house at night. 2. I hang insulated curtains. I found that my big glass sliding door also acts as a huge cold spot. 3. I found where my cold spots are... as stated before, if I know where I could be losing heat, I know where to fix problems. A point and shot laser thermometer is cheap on amazon. 4. I keep my house humid. Interesting trick, if there is humidity in the air, there is less likely drafts. I have a small humidifier, and my houseplants also keep some moisture in the air. If you can keep it between 40-60% humidity, your in a good spot. 5. I keep my ceiling fan going when home. I have baseboard heating, but even if I had forced air this trick would work. Heat rises, so if you can circulate the hot air back down with a fan, you have a more even temperature rather then wasting it all on heating your ceiling. 6. Close any unnecessary rooms off. Its amazing how cold my bathroom can get by just closing the door, a lot of wasted heat goes through my bathroom exhust in the winter.
Mind you too, this is coming from someone from Wisconsin, were we can get some nasty cold spells. I hope these inexpensive tips can help someone else just learning about how to keep heating costs low in winter.
I am fortunate to have a fireplace and wood stove. That is used when the heat pump is running almost all the time. I have a programmable thermostats--actually two. One for my bedroom which I can keep lower-especially at night, an done for the rest of the house. When I spend more time in my office, I can use my oil heater just for that room when I am there. I use blankets while watching TV, keep the temperature no higher than 62 throughout the day and turn it to 55 at night. I wear sweaters, drink hot tea and exercise. I also have extra insulation around the outside wall outlets, in the attic, and have drapes. During the day, I open drapes during the day so more sun gets in and helps to heat the house, close then at night. I have double panes windows.
I set the thermostat to 55 degrees and wear LOTS of layers. I actually prefer a cool house and found I don't get sick as often since I'm not bouncing between a hot interior and cold exterior. May not work for everyone, but try lower the temperature a couple of degrees at a time until you find your limit.
To keep heating (and air conditioning) costs manageable, we use a programmable thermostat that adjusts the temperature when we are at work during the day or asleep at night. I also use throws on the couch to use to snuggle with a kitty to create warmth. :)
I try to use space heaters in individual rooms rather than heating the whole place. Also, I try to recapture heat from the oven after cooking or the humidity from showers to keep my place warm and comfortable.
I keep heating costs low by never using my heater, opening my blinds to let the sun in, and wearing warm pajamas and hats. Luckily, it's only me so I'm the only one who has to worry about being cold. I also live in Southern California so there are only a few nights out of the year that get to about 30ish. On those nights, I use a space heater to just warm things up in my bedroom before I go to sleep.
We use small electric heaters in the rooms we are in and keep the oil heat lower in the other rooms. Surprisingly it only raises our electric bill slightly but we are much warmer. We have a huge old house to heat so we do what we can to save.
I'm a huge fan of layered clothing and warm socks! I don't like my house to be warmer than about 65 degrees, which is already cool for many people. I'm in the process of building a tiny house, which will be heated mainly with a very small wood stove. Otherwise, I will be getting a small space heater with a high efficiency rating.
Use a heat helper on the dryer.
I keep the thermostat in the cold air slot with 70 F. Helps me from getting frozen and also keep the electricity bill at an affordable rate
Keep blinds wide open during the day - especially on the sunny side of the house. I usually put a new sweep strip on the bottom of all doors that lead outside, as well as the cushioned strips in window tracks.I also use draft dodgers ar outside doors. I reverse my ceiling fans to push warm air down. I also dress warmer without putting on clothes to restrict movement. I make sure I close the lined, weather blocking curtains on the side of the house that does not receive sun. I also cover up with a throw when I am sitting, so I don't feel the need to up the heat. The final thing I do is make sure my inside ceiling fan door is not askew and letting heated air go into the attic, I even added thick foam insulation around the door this year.
I live in Las Vegas! :)
Instead of turning the heater on, I put on extra layers, wrap myself in blankets, and drink hot drinks.
Luckily I live in Florida, so it doesn't get too cold in winter. It does get a little chilly for a couple months, and I make sure everything is well insulated and that there aren't little leaks in the windows or doors. And when I'm cold, I bundle up rather than turn on the heat which runs quite inefficiently.
Wear layers and use a space heater.
I get to take advantage of having downstairs neighbor by getting a little of their residual rising heat. Keeping extra blankets and warmer sweatshirts around is a must for me.
I see all these articles that say nurses earn such great salaries. But this is very dependent on demand and where you live. Benefits are often lousy. I am at $40,000 with a BSN and many years experience. Student loans will haunt me forever. Statistics are just that- statistics. There is much more to the story.
Use a Nest Thermostat and all the features. I have saved a great deal with my initial investment in the device.
While its easy to just tell someone to bundle up and throw on a sweater, I don't think that's the tips we are looking for.
Renting gets tricky, since I cant make huge changes like install insulation or add a wood burning fireplace, however, simple things make a huge difference too. 1. I installed a programmable thermostat. Before I go to bed, and before I leave for work, the temperature drops... no point in heating an apartment when I'm not there, and I get better sleep with a cooler house at night. 2. I hang insulated curtains. I found that my big glass sliding door also acts as a huge cold spot. 3. I found where my cold spots are... as stated before, if I know where I could be losing heat, I know where to fix problems. A point and shot laser thermometer is cheap on amazon. 4. I keep my house humid. Interesting trick, if there is humidity in the air, there is less likely drafts. I have a small humidifier, and my houseplants also keep some moisture in the air. If you can keep it between 40-60% humidity, your in a good spot. 5. I keep my ceiling fan going when home. I have baseboard heating, but even if I had forced air this trick would work. Heat rises, so if you can circulate the hot air back down with a fan, you have a more even temperature rather then wasting it all on heating your ceiling. 6. Close any unnecessary rooms off. Its amazing how cold my bathroom can get by just closing the door, a lot of wasted heat goes through my bathroom exhust in the winter.
Mind you too, this is coming from someone from Wisconsin, were we can get some nasty cold spells. I hope these inexpensive tips can help someone else just learning about how to keep heating costs low in winter.
You have ignored health care which in Canada is largely paid for in taxes and in US is paid out of pocket.
I keep the heating costs low by living in warm climate
I am fortunate to have a fireplace and wood stove. That is used when the heat pump is running almost all the time. I have a programmable thermostats--actually two. One for my bedroom which I can keep lower-especially at night, an done for the rest of the house. When I spend more time in my office, I can use my oil heater just for that room when I am there. I use blankets while watching TV, keep the temperature no higher than 62 throughout the day and turn it to 55 at night. I wear sweaters, drink hot tea and exercise. I also have extra insulation around the outside wall outlets, in the attic, and have drapes. During the day, I open drapes during the day so more sun gets in and helps to heat the house, close then at night. I have double panes windows.
I set the thermostat to 55 degrees and wear LOTS of layers. I actually prefer a cool house and found I don't get sick as often since I'm not bouncing between a hot interior and cold exterior. May not work for everyone, but try lower the temperature a couple of degrees at a time until you find your limit.
We make sure to schedule a tune-up on our furnace every fall; that ensures it's running as efficiently as it can. And change the filters often!
I keep heating costs low by turning down the thermostat, wearing warm clothes and sitting under a blanket!
To keep heating (and air conditioning) costs manageable, we use a programmable thermostat that adjusts the temperature when we are at work during the day or asleep at night. I also use throws on the couch to use to snuggle with a kitty to create warmth. :)
I like the heat down anyway. If I do get chilly then i'll put on a sweatshirt
We keep the doors and windows insulated.
Not a problem in Florida. We seldom use our heater.