Put Your Heating Bills on a Diet
Heating costs are rising like pounds after a cookie binge. It's time to put our heating bills on a diet. Let's begin with the simplest strategy.
Strategy 1: Wearable insulation
Mom was right. If you feel cold, put on a sweater. The easiest insulation project we can do is insulating ourselves. And it has the added advantage that each family member can decide how much warmth he or she wants to add. So the person who is always hot and the one who feels the cold intensely can both be happy. When it comes to adding warmth, think layers. For example: shirt, vest or pullover, sweater or jacket. If you hate the bulky feeling of layers, try using silk in some of layers. Silk has wonderful insulating qualities without the heaviness of wool. Silk clothes and fabrics are expensive, so it's worth checking for sales.
Strategy 2: Spot heating
If your family tends to congregate in one room in the evenings, why not concentrate much of your heating in that area? Keep the rest of the house at a cooler temperature. Some heating systems have built in zone heating, so you can increase the heat in rooms that are occupied. If your heating system doesn't have that option, try a portable heater to add extra heat.
Strategy 3: Check caulking and weather striping
Little things add up. Make sure the weather-strips around your doors are tight. Caulk around doors and windows. Seal any leaky ductwork. Caulk and seal around plumbing and vents. The Rocky Mountain Institute has tips on sealing air leaks (opens a PDF file).
Strategy 4: Storm windows
Windows give us views of the outdoors, let in natural light and bring in solar heat. But according to the Department of Energy, windows are also responsible for about 10% of the air leaks in our homes. If new energy efficient windows are not in your budget, how about storm windows or a temporary plastic covering? You can buy kits for making removable plastic storm windows or you can improvise using plastic sheeting, masking tape and staples. My neighbors cover the screens on their porch with plastic. The plastic-covered screens buffer the air to the rooms off the porch and turn their back porch into a year-round room. A small heater gives extra warmth when needed.
Strategy 5: Window coverings
Insulating shutters, window quilts and lined curtains can help keep the heat in and the cold air out at night. You can make these treatments yourself. Check the energy conservation page for links to patterns and directions. Remember cold air can sneak in past the top, sides and bottoms of your curtains and in the center where the curtains meet. So find ways to secure the edges of window treatments, such as wood and fabric valances, magnetic strips on the sides, weights at the curtain bottoms.
Strategy 6: Make sure your home is snug
Does your home have adequate insulation? When older homes like mine were built, the approach to insulation was often casual. The Department of Energy has information on how to check your home's existing insulation and a map showing how much insulation is recommended for your climate.
Trimming heating costs is a big project. But just like losing weight, it can be tackled a little at a time.
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