15 tips on saving money on heating your home

With today’s problems with the economy and the credit crunch, we should all be looking at ways to save ourselves some money. Many people are finding themselves in debt because of the soaring price of food and household bills. The biggest rise in costs to the average household is gas and electric. Unfortunately, these are two things that we cannot live without, so here are some simple tips that will help you to save money on your heating bills. They will also reduce your carbon footprint too,

1. By turning your thermostat down just one or two degrees will make a lot of difference. You will probably not even notice the adjustment, but this will help save you money and help the environment.

2. If you spend most of your time in one room for long periods of time and you have a gas or electric fire, why not use that to heat up the room you need. This will take less energy than a central heating system trying to heat up the whole house and the room will get warm really quickly.

3. Keep doors shut when you are trying to keep rooms warm. There is no point in having your central heating making your living room nice and toasty, while you stand chatting at your front door with your neighbour. Your heating system will be working extra hard to get rid of the cold, therefore costing you more money.

4. Use door runners to stop drafts creeping underneath. You can even make these yourself out of an old pair of tights stuffed with material from old clothes.

5. If you find there is a draft coming in through the side of one of your window panes, simply run some masking tape down it to block them out.

6. Wear extra clothes. If you are sitting in your house in a t shirt complaining that it is cold, it is so much more cost effective to simply put a jumper on rather than spending money on your heating.

7. Make sure your radiators are working to their full potential. You may need to bleed them to get the best out of them.

8. Remember to turn your heating off at night. You don’t need it on when you are asleep, so set the timer to come on about half an hour before you wake up and it will be lovely and warm.

9. Remember to switch it off when you go out. It is pointless in spending money on heating a house that no one is spending any time in. If you like your house to be warm when you get in simply set the timer again.

10. If you can afford it, have cavity wall insulation implemented in your property. There are many schemes that local councils run to cut the cost for home owners to help them with their energy bills. Walls that are insulated hold so much more heat in, reducing the amount of time you need your heating on.

11. For extra warmth without turning up your heating, why not light some large candles in the room you are spending time in. It is surprising how much heat they give off.

12. After you have finished cooking, leave your oven door open. This lets a lot of heat out for a fair while after the oven has been switched off.

13. Insulate your loft. Insulation should be at least 8 to 10 inches thick in order for it to be efficient. This could cut your heating bill a great deal as heat rises, so you need to stop it escaping.

14. Try and stop yourself turning on the heating as soon as the first slightly cold day arrives. You will find that you get used to the extra warmth and will be switching it on every day. Try and wait until it gets really cold.

15. Double glazed windows are far more efficient at keeping out the cold rather than single glazed windows. If you can afford to double glaze your home, it is money well spent that will help to reduce your heating bill every year.

If you combine all these tips, you will soon notice that your house is warmer and your heating bills are lower. You can also know that you are doing your bit to help the environment as well as helping your wallet.

13 Responses to “15 tips on saving money on heating your home”

shane

28. Oct, 2008

Good morning Forest !!! Great energy save post. But I cant believe you forgot a few !!!!

#16 turn your heat down and wear a sweater and wool socks !!! My parents always did this. Our house was an icebox I swear it was.

#17 do like the caribou do and snuggle with your sweet heart for warmth. It’s a good energy saver plus it is FUN !!!!

shanes last blog post..Paddington Bear is 50?

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Max

28. Oct, 2008

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.

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Forest

28. Oct, 2008

Cheers Shane, I like No17 a lot

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Max

29. Oct, 2008

Thanks for this post!

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Max

31. Oct, 2008

I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100%, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong.

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Jason

03. Nov, 2008

These tips are great – thanks. The big saver for us is your #2 tip – keeping the lounge-room door closed so only the main living area of the house is heated. I really don’t see the point in heating the bathroom, bedrooms or hallway if we don’t spend much time there!

The only pity is we’re now heading into summer here is Australia

Jasons last blog post..Breaking Your Financial Goals Down Into Steps

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Forest

14. Nov, 2008

Ha ha,

A great way to spend money would be to teleport to Australia in our winter It’s starting to get bloody freezing here.

Thanks for stopping by.

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shane

30. Nov, 2008

back for another comment forest and to add a link if thats all good with you. Recently we’ve been looking at our energy bills and coming up with some energy saving tips and plans to help us save some money in the long run. And came up these 15 no or low cost energy savings tips http://shanehigginbottom.com/15-no-or-low-cost-energy-saving-tips/

shanes last blog post..The fractional reserve banking system scam

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chris

07. Jan, 2009

I just had a powerworks installed by an electrician,and it has already paid for itself with all the money I have saved on my electric bill,I have saved 40 percent on my electric bill since last year wich is alot of money since I have electric heat.I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t have this technology’,maybe cause it is fairly new.The website for information on powerworks is at http://www.ecoquestintl.com/norwich

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david dealaday

14. Feb, 2010

Thanks for this wonderful information I know how much the cost of energy that we used for heating our home. which is quiet expensive..

you know i like this post this is really a practical way .. to save money

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Forest

15. Feb, 2010

@David, Thanks for your comment

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Lovely

21. May, 2010

I think most people would agree that saving money is something “easier said than done”. Personally, I believe it’s a mind-set that needs to be developed by creating good money-saving habits.

Here are some things I’ve done to help change my spending habits:

- Cooking more at home ? Eating out is very expensive especially if you do it a couple times a week
- Shopping online ? You can find better deals than in the store and you save on gas (I recommend http://www.shoptivity.com)
- Paying the full balance on credit cards each month ? Interest charge is like giving away free money
- Don’t forget to pay yourself ? Set up an online savings account (they pay higher interest than a normal savings account)
- Setting a budget and goals ? It’s good to have your goals written down so you see them everyday and don’t lose focus on your ultimate objectives

Again, saving money requires a lot of patience and hard work. However, you’ll thank yourself later on in life. Good luck everyone!! =)

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- Forest
  
  22. May, 2010
  
  Hey lovely, yes it is a mind set for sure!
  
  Thanks for your tips .
  
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