"If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting."
-Benjamin Franklin

Today in Madison, Wisconsin, it was -35 °F degrees; needless to say, the heating bills for this ol’ home-on-an-isthmus have been excruciating.  Here are eight killer tips from J.V. Endres: they’ve helped him reduce his annual heating bills from $1,000 to $500 in a 35-year-old house! Check ‘em out.

1. Do not heat any unnecessary rooms. Close and seal heat registers and air returns. Be sure to whether-strip doors to these less-heated areas.

2. Adjust the furnace thermostat (internally) for the longest (and therefore fewest) cycles. Simply pop off the cover and look inside to set. This efficiency boost could save 15%.

3. Insulate all electrical outlets & switches on inside/outside walls with foam pads beneath cover plates. These are inexpensive and easy to install. Weather-strip and keep bathroom door closed.

4. If you position a light bulb just under your heating control, and set it with a cheap electric timer (~ $5) to match your of sleeping and time of return after work, the timer will control your heating system and could save up to 40% of heating costs.

5. Weather-strip, insulate , and seal all access doors to unused and cold attic areas. Do the thinking — find the areas of heat loss, then determine how to slow the flow of heat and money.

6. Turn the thermostat lower and dress warmer. Nobody ever froze at 60 degrees. At night and when you are gone set the thermostat to 50 degrees. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “two 10 degree setbacks will save 1/3 of heating costs.” If you’ll be gone for over 48 hours, drop the temperature to 40 degrees.

7. Window heat loss equals 1/3 of your energy bill so close shades and drapes. Use rope caulk in every crack & opening. If possible, use Visqueen plastic over the outside of each window and/or use shrink plastic on the inside. Try clear bubble plastic packaging placed between the storm window and inside the main glass window (to insulate).

8. In your basement, seal and insulate all hot air metal ducts. Insulate water pipes, the box sill above the basement wall, the area between wood joists, and the top 4 feet inside the basement walls. Hang insulation from wall top.

[tags]slashing your winter heating bills, J.V. Endres, heating bills, saving money, reducing heating bills, weatherstripping, inexpensive insulation, lowering the thermostat, rope caulk, window heat loss, warming your home in the winter, energy efficiency[/tags]