3 Old School Tips to Save on Heating Costs This Winter

Before the days of the internet, where one could find out how to do just about anything, there were things that were passed on by tradition, word of mouth, and trial-and-error.

As I think back, there were a few things people did in their homes to keep them warm in the colder months that I didn’t appreciate at the time. I mean, eh, I was young and wasn’t paying the electricity bill!

Now that I am considering those energy costs, I am preparing to do some of these things I remember and just wanted to pass them along to you. Some of the items weren’t done with finesse in the past, but there are kits and the like available on websites like Amazon or at your local home improvement store. Half the fun of going through these, though, is the ingenuity of using everyday items.

1. Garbage bags to cover the windows – Unless the windows are newer, there can sometimes be a draft that comes in through them. I have seen people take thick garbage bags and cover their windows with them, sealing them with duct tape.

Instead of garbage bags, it is easy to buy a kit that uses a clear film and mounting tape.

2. Towels/cloths to block drafts – I’ve seen towels, blankets, socks (yes, socks) stuck underneath doors, on window sills, around pipes, attic entrances, and in all types of crevices where air is seeping through.

Instead of cloth, there are options like caulk and weather stripping which will take care of gaps in windows, doors, and other areas that can be sealed of from air leaking through.

3. Cracked oven door – I have been in homes where people have used the heat from the oven to help warm a space. I am NOT recommending that.

What does help, is after using the oven for a meal (and turning it off), leaving the door cracked so that residual heat can help lighten the load of your furnace.

Necessity is the mother of invention, and even though you may not do these tips in the “old school” way, the solutions are solid with some new school products!

A few other things to consider in keeping heating costs down are:

– Is the filter clean to your furnace? Check directions to see how often the filter should be changed.

– Are you keeping the temperature reasonably low? You can always bundle up with sweaters and socks.

– Are you heating the space you’re using? You can close the vents to rooms that aren’t frequently being used or use a space heater for the area you spend the most time.