Fighting Your Heating Bill

It's almost that time of year again, the time of year when we glance at our outrageous heating bills and swear the decimal point is in the wrong place. Heat, unfortunately, can cost an arm, a leg, and a toe or two. It's not an expense we can get rid of, though.

Those of us who live in winter prone climates can't live in unheated houses. It's not a luxury; it's a necessity. Luckily, there are ways to reduce your heating bill. You won't make it go away altogether, but the price of heat might just make you a little less hot under the collar.

Insulate, insulate, insulate: A house that doesn't have proper insulation is a cold front waiting to happen. It's not only the livable areas of your house that need insulation, it's also the areas you never enter, such as your attic and basement.

Cold air seeping in through the attic and basement will find its way into your living room, bedrooms, and kitchen. If you aren't sure your house has proper insulation, schedule an appointment with a professional. It's better to be safe than left out — or in — the cold.

Dress Warmer: It sounds so simple, dressing warm while indoors to reduce heating bills, yet so many people don’t do it. Believing it's more comfortable to lounge around in a t-shirt, shorts, and fuzzy bunny slippers than long pants and a wool sweater, those dwelling inside often dress likes it's summer even when it's winter.

If you refuse to wear warm clothes while inside, at least wear socks. A pair of thick socks can do wonders for your body temperature.

Increase Humidity: Usually, people aren't fans of humidity. No one likes a weather factor that feels like being locked in a stuffy bathroom, but humidity helps keep heat in, allowing you to keep the thermostat on low.

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Article Author: Marie Jordan

Marie Jordan is the senior editor for ETO Doors. Someone who changes her mind every five minutes, her house is in a perpetual state of home improvement.

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