by Mario Carini

Created on: November 16, 2010

Everyone would prefer to head down south just as soon as the weather turns colder. Unfortunately, few have enough resources to enjoy half a year in sunny Florida or California. For those who can't, heating bills need to be trimmed during those cold winter months.

Winter poses many more expenses. Heating costs, electricity, plowing costs and extra warm clothing can put a severe dent in any family budget. But there are ways to fight winter costs, save money and survive through yet another harsh winter.

1. Preparation is the first step to insure your house stays warm. Well before the first snowflake arrives, you should seal any potential leaks through your windows and doors. Caulk and insulate every potential areas where heat can escape keeps more warmth in the home. Weather strip all doors. Have your furnace checked and adjusted to run at peak efficiency.

2. Keep a lower temperature when you're not home or sleeping. A temperature of about 55 degrees is adequate during those absent hours. Otherwise turn up the temperature to 65%. Install a thermostat in every room, so you can reduce the temperature in those areas that don't see a great deal of traffic. This usually applies to the utility room, the garage or the storage room in the basement.

3. If a temperature of 65% isn't adequate for living, make it a habit to wear a sweater or extra clothes. Infrared space heaters can save you money and heat a room efficiently.

4. Get active. Clean house. Walk the treadmill. Wash dishes. Anything that gets you moving will help keep you warm. Or drink a cup of hot tea or coffee to warm you on the inside.

5. Your attic space should be adequately insulated. If the R-factor isn't up to accepted standards, add more insulation. A large amount of heat can escape through the ceilings of the top level floor of the home.

6. Hot water heaters are usually located in the basement which tends to be much colder than the rest of the house. Wrapping the heater in an insulating blanket will keep the water heated longer and uses less electricity, oil or gas.

7. After baking, allow the heat of the oven to heat the kitchen by leaving the door open.

8. Use some heavy curtains and shut them during the night to preserve room heat and open them to allow sunshine to heat the home during daylight hours.

9. Ceiling fans are very versatile as they can be used to cool a room during hot summer months and warm up a room by pushing down the warmer layers of air closest to the ceiling. They can be more efficient than air conditioning.

10. Most modern homes are well insulated and have double pane or even triple pane windows that keep heat from escaping the home. But if your home is older, you will need to replace those windows or use a thin plastic insulating film that adheres to windows as they are being blow dried. .

11. Use your dishwasher only when you have a large load of dishes to wash. Like the stove, leave the door open so the heat can help keep the kitchen warm. You don't really need to use a dry cycle.

12. Summer or winter, washing machines consume a great deal of energy. It makes sense to wash a full load of clothing. Dryers are convenient, but often they are not necessary. Hanging wet clothes on a clothes rack may take clothes longer to dry, but the humidity they give off helps as most homes are too dry during the winter months.

With good preparation, your home will keep the family warm, safe and happy and you're less likely to fear those high winter bills.

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