Do-it-yourself Tips to Cut Cold Weather Energy Costs

The electricity bill can sky rocket for the average user once winter hits. Fortunately, there are easy do-it-yourself tips to cut electric costs for your home or apartment in those chilly winter months.

Energy saving tip #1: Stop cold air from leaking in to your home.

Weather stripping is cheap and sold at any hardware store. You can buy the sticky kind that makes it super easy to weather proof your doors. Apply weather stripping to all doors that lead to the outside.

If you're feeling a little adventurous you may consider caulking around your windows. Again, this is a cheap way to weather proof your home and easy to do yourself. You don't need to buy large tubes of caulk and a caulk gun. Instead pick up a simple to use squeeze tube of caulk and get to work.

Houses and apartments that use window air conditioners should remove these units during the winter to eliminate air leakage around the unit.

If your home has a fireplace, be sure you have a tight-fitting damper. Keep the damper closed when the fireplace is not in use.

Energy saving tip #2: Take advantage of the sun.

A sunny day in the depths of winter can still add warmth to your home. On sunny winter days, open your blinds, shades and curtains to let the sun in. When the sun has set be sure to close your window coverings to help keep that heat inside and the cold out.

Energy saving tip #3: Pay attention to your heating system.

If your heating system uses air filters, inspect them at least once a month. Keeping them cleaned or replacing them when needed can lower your heating bill, particularly if you also make sure that your heat registers and return vents are not blocked.

Check your thermostat setting. If your thermostat is placed in a cool, drafty location, your heat could be working over time. Try turning it down a couple degrees to see if the living spaces are still tolerably warm.

If you have separate thermostats for the rooms of your house, turn down the thermostat in the rooms you aren't using and keep those doors closed. You may also choose to do this for your bedroom if you aren't using it during the day.

In order to keep the cold air sequestered in the least used areas of the house you may choose to hang sheets or drapes in the walk ways separating one room from another. Doing this in the room entrances that open toward the front door can have a big impact on keeping cold air out and the heating bill low.

You don't have to put up with high electric bills during the winter months. These three easy do-it-yourself tips can make a significant difference in the energy and money required to keep your house cozy during the winter.