I'm a terrible mother. My kids and husband are suffering with head colds. I just can't seem to get past the cost of gas so I waited and waited until I couldn't wait anymore. Today was it. I woke and checked the thermostat. A brisk 52 degrees! I guess I need to turn on the heat.
I'm sure I'm not alone in this way of thinking. With a 1,000 gallon propane tank buried out back needing refueling every 4 to 6 months, I am as cheap as they come but even I had to draw the line today. Getting out of bed, I reached for my slippers and realized I was so cold during the night that I had actually slept in them! Don't remember doing that but there you have it.
For those of you in the same position, I feel your pain. Bite the bullet, call your HVAC technician to tune your baby up, and fire away. There's no point in delaying the inevitable....unless you don't mind icicles forming on the tip of your nose!
Tips to stay safe, warm and toasty this winter season without busting your budget
- Get a regular maintenance plan for your HVAC - typically, twice a year is sufficient. I like to plan it around daylight savings time - Spring and Fall. Think of it as a tune-up like you'd get on your car.
- Regularly clean and maintain your filters - since dirt is the biggest enemy of your system, regular maintenance on your part is required. When you pay your mortgage, change or clean your filter(s).
- Consider getting a programmable thermostat, which can be a big energy saver. Different temperature settings can be programmed for different times of the day/night or even days of the week.
- Make sure your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. You should have an alarm and a detector on each floor of your home. Check the batteries regularly and comply with your local county or city codes.
- Check for appropriate insulation in the walls and attic. If your basement is unfinished, the floor above the basement should be insulated.
- Find out if your insulation has the correct R-value, which is a measure of insulating value. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulation ability.
- Close the damper on your fireplace when it is not in use.
- Insulate pipes so they won't freeze and remember to winterize your outside spigots.
- Add weather-stripping and caulking to windows and doors. As much as 30 to 40 percent of a house's energy load is attributed to outside air penetrating the home.
- Add weather-stripping tapes that adhere directly to door and window frames for a tight seal. Add a door sweep for more insulation.
- Lower your water heater's thermostat setting to 120 degrees.
- Install a low-flow showerhead to save on hot water.
- Use the passive solar energy of your home by opening drapes and blinds during the day. Close them at night to retain heat.
- Lower your thermostat at night and when you are not going to be at home for several hours. Close off unoccupied rooms; close heating vents in those areas.
- Set the thermostat for 68-72 degrees F. in the daytime (or any comfortable level) and drop it to 65 (or less, if comfortable) degrees at night. Not only will you save on energy costs, your house will not feel overheated.
- Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans wisely; in just one hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air. Turn fans off as soon as they have done the job.
Personal Tips
- Take showers instead of baths. Showers use less hot water than baths.
- Wear layers of clothing or insulated clothing indoors. (Not recommended to sleep in your slippers!)
- Put extra blankets or a down comforter on your bed.
- Wash clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot.
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