5 Easy Ways To Cut Your Heating Bill Part 3

I hope you've enjoyed this three part series on cutting your heating bill.  Here is the last installment.

*  Feeling a little cold at night and want the heater on when you are in bed ?  A much cheaper option is to buy a Winter weight doona.  I bought an Australian Wool  Doona ( king size ) from a manchester shop last year for $80.  It's much warmer than the standard polyester doona but only slightly heavier in weight.  Darren and I no longer need to pile the blankets on the bed or freeze when the overnight temperature drops outside.  Our wool doona will last for many years as we only need it for 3 months each year.  If it lasts for 10 years then I've only spent $8 per year to be warm.  Compare that to having the heater on a higher temperature and the costs invloved.  At the end of Winter I fold the doona back into it's bag and store it away for the next year.

*  Keep your windows and doors closed.  Yes,  I know I'm stating the blatantly obvious but I hear from mums all over how their kids leave the door open.  It's just one of those things you need to keep on top of.  I'm always asking my girls if they've closed the front door when we come home from school.  95 % of the time they have but I ask anyway. It pays to check.

*  Install a programable thermostat.  Ok,  this is going to cost you a bit of money but it will save you so much more in the long run.  We changed over from a manual one to a programable one back in 2001 for $150.  It was one of the best decisions we've made.  No longer is the heater left on 20 degrees overnight.  No longer  do we keep turning it up " just a bit more ".  If you can't afford one right now,  make it a goal for next Winter.  Maybe start a savings tin.  I've been known to use a soft drink can to save $2 coins.

*  Don't heat an empty home.  It's just dollars out the window.  If we think we'll be out when the heater switches back on for tea time heating,  we turn the heater off all together.

*  Keep all ducting vents clear of furniture and curtains.  There's no point in heating a couch or having curtains billowing in hot air.

*  Wear a dressing gown and slippers.  You might not be wearing high fashion but you will be warm.

*  Turn the heating off before bed and place heated wheat packs between the sheets.  Doing this 15 - 30 minutes before bed will give you a toasty spot to climb into. 

5 Easy Ways To Cut Your Heating Bill Part 2

Here are 5 more easy heating tips for you to try -

* If your heater turns off automatically before you go to bed.  don't be tempted to turn it back on.  Instead,   grab a blanket and snuggle underneath.  You'll be warm and toasty in seconds.  Dig out your throw rugs and blankets and strategically place them where family members can grab them easily.

*  Keeping busy on a cold day is a wonderful way to keep warm.  Feeling a little cold ?  Instead of turning the heater on,  pull the vacuum cleaner out and give your home the once over.  Do your showers need a clean ?  Then grab your Miracle Spray and microfibre cloths and give them a good scrub.  Not only will you feel much warmer,  your home will be sparkly clean.  I've been cleaning homes for over 15 years and love walking into an unheated home in Winter.

*  Cook up a storm in your kitchen.  Winter is a wonderful time to bake and cook in bulk.  With your oven or stove on there will be enough heat generated to keep you warm.  Your family will be thanking you for the wonderful homemade treats too.

*  Keep your heater temperature set at 18 - 20 degrees Celsius during the day and before you go to bed ( or lower if you can handle it ).  For every degree over 20 you are adding 5 - 10% to your heating bill.

*  Reduce your heater temperature overnight.  Once you are snuggled under your doona,  you won't need the house heated to 20 degrees.  We have our heater on 15.5 degrees overnight.  This means the heater turns on just a few times for about 30 seconds to prevent the temperature dropping too low.

5 Easy Ways To Cut Your Heating Bill Part 1

With the ever increasing cost of electricity and gas, it's becoming harder to heat your home without blowing the family budget.  Here are five easy ways to cut your costs and still stay warm -

*  Put a door snake or draft stopper at the bottom of each external door.  This might seem so basic or simple but it's amazing how much cold air comes in that little gap. You can make your own door snake using scraps of material and filling it with rice,  rags or sawdust.

*  Open the curtains when the sun is shining on the windows.  By the same token,  as soon as the sun starts to go down,  close your curtains to keep the warmth in.

*  If you have a programable heating thermostat,  reduce your heating time gradually.  Shaving fifteen minutes off each heating time really does add up and make a difference to your bill.  If you take your kids to school at 8.45 am each morning,  you don't need the heating on until the minute you leave the house.  Chances are you and the kids are running around getting ready until the last minute getting hot and bothered.  Try turning the heater off at 8 - 8.15 am.

*  Put an extra jumper on for warmth.  Yes I know,  it's so obvious but I've been in homes when the heating is on and people are walking around in t shirts.  Really  !!!

*  Close off any rooms that don't have heating ducts.  In my home it's the toilet and laundry.  By keeping the doors closed you are not heating rooms that are rarely used.

Shave off your heating times

Our door snake

Closing doors

Close curtains and blinds