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It's either that, or you believe in the predictions of the Mayan Calender and you're living your last years throwing caution to the wind and squandering all your savings on things you don't really need like the rising cost of energy.
This winter many people are facing much higher heating bills.
The cost of fuel oil and electricity are on the rise, and according to recent reports released by the U.
S.
Department of Energy (DOE), this winter's fuel oil and natural gas prices will go even higher than last year.
As fuel prices rise, it becomes tempting to look for the single solution that will shave off a large portion of your heating bill, but the facts are, there are numerous ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Many of these are simple, inexpensive steps that can reduce your energy use and bring you immediate savings.
While you may not be able to implement all of these tips this winter, keep this list handy and you can begin to work on these simple tips in time for next winter.
1.
Perhaps the quickest and most obvious way to cut down on your power bill is to turn down your thermostat.
Think of it as a valve between your fuel supplier and your wallet.
For every degree you turn it down, you will use up to 3 percent less heating energy.
2.
By installing a ceiling fan you are able to circulate warm air trapped at the ceiling.
Combine this with dressing warmly and you will be able to keep your thermostat even lower.
3.
Older windows are often a big waste of energy.
If you're not ready to invest in new energy efficient windows, simply take time to update the weather stripping and re-caulk around all your windows.
Drafty areas where outside air enters the home can be the cause of wasted heating energy.
4.
A typical home heating system will last around 20 years.
If yours is 15 or more years old, it may be time to look into replacing it.
Many newer heating systems boast efficiency ratings exceeding 90%.
If you have a boiler, insulate all pipes leading to and from it.
If you have a furnace, seal and insulate your ductwork.
5.
Open curtains and shades on sunny days and use insulated window curtains at night to reduce heat loss.
Also, use plastic window film, storm windows or insulating window panels if your home has single pane windows.
6.
Be sure to check anywhere air from the attic can penetrate the rest of the house, such as chimney, plumbing chases and attic hatches.
Use a tight-closing damper on fireplace chimneys when not in use to prevent losing conditioned air from flowing up the chimney.
7.
If you are considering any major renovations to your house, have a professional energy audit performed to see if any additional energy efficiency improvements can be made at the same time.
While all of these things can help to reduce your monthly heating bills this winter, they will also help reduce your overall carbon foot print.
When you can reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat your home, you have also reduced the amount of carbon dioxide use to produce that energy.
At a time when everyone is looking for ways to help our environment, by implementing these simple tips you will be helping to do your part to start living green and saving money on your heating bill.
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