There’s one part of winter that even the biggest fans of frost and mittens hate, and that’s the foot-long heating and electricity bills that arrive in your (e)mail. Just think about all the cozy sweaters you could get with the hundreds of dollars you shell out on keeping warm. We’re craving some fluffy knitwear too, so we came up with a few tips to save on bills this winter.
- Have a specialist check your heating system or submit a request to your property’s management for it. For your heating system to properly and efficiently work, the air filters need to be clean. In fact, it’s recommended to replace filters once a month to ensure maximum efficiency. But that’s not all. Contrary to what many believe, you need to keep all vents open for your system to efficiently heat your apartment. Closed vents won’t save on energy – they’ll probably hike up your bill and even contribute to your heating system breaking, since they force it to work overtime.
- Install a programmable thermostat. There’s loads of gadget you can get, with some even allowing you to control the temperature with your smartphone. Whether you go super-high-tech or with a basic one, a programmable thermostat will save you heaps of money. Don’t forget to add the gadget to your renter insurance plan and keep the receipt, just in case.
- Think of it as vintage eco-friendliness and just add some extra blankets to your bed, instead of turning your thermostat way up high. Trust us, you can sleep as comfortable in long-sleeved PJs and two or three blankets and down comforters as in your favorite college T-shirt and just one blanket.
- What better way to keep you home warm, than stopping the cold from getting in? Draft can be a real money pit, especially if you live in older window. The quickest way to fix it is to get some draft stoppers for your doors and windows. If you’re crafty you can even make them at home using some stylish fabric and old clothes as filling. #upcyle
- With all those hours of darkness, lighting pushes your bills further up. There’s a bevy of ways to minimize its impact on your budget. First off, turn the lights off when you leave the room. Second, switch classic light bulbs with energy-efficient ones. CFLs are a good option, LEDs are even better. If you really want to go green, get some solar lights that you can leave to charge in your window during the day and use as ambient light during the evenings.
- Hang thick drapes. Keep them snugly closed at night to keep the cold out. Throw them open during the day to let sunlight in. You can also turn your bed into a canopy, with some drapes. They will help insulate your bed and immediate sleeping area, allowing you to further inch down your thermostat during nights. As an added bonus, canopy beds are utterly stylish.
