14 Tips for Using Less Heat this Season

It feels like it got chilly over night! The temperature’s dropping here in the northern hemisphere, and for a lot of us that means dialing up the thermostat to take that chill out of the air.

Whether you have electric or gas heat, warming your home isn’t so hot for the environment. The majority of our electricity here in the U.S. comes from dirty coal. Natural gas drilling often uses a dangerous method called hydraulic fracturing or “fracking,” which contaminates water in the areas around drilling sites.

Never fear! There are lots of ways that you can reduce your heating bill without setting hand on the thermostat.

1. Get a Draft Dodger

Nope, I’m not talking about avoiding military service. Draft dodgers are filled fabric tubes that you wedge under the door to keep out cold air. Normally filled with sand or small beans, they do a great job of adding a little extra insulation around doors or windows.

You can purchase draft dodgers online, and if you’re feeling crafty it’s quite easy to whip up your own!

2. Make the Most of the Sunlight

If possible, keep your blinds open during the day and close them at night. This does double duty. In the daytime, sunlight will warm your home naturally, and at night your blinds will help keep heat from escaping through your windows.

3. Trim the Tree

Not the Christmas tree! If you’ve got plants blocking the windows on the side of your house that gets the most sun, prune them back. This will help you take advantage of sunlight during the day (see #2).

Up next: Cover the floor, bundle up, and turn down the thermostat.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Janice W.

9:12PM PST on Dec 19, 2012

Thanks for the tips! I knew most of them but a little review never hurt anyone. :) I did reverse my fans though, thanks for that one! I have also noticed that even if I have on a hat & sweater & sitting in a room with a space heater my feet can still get cold. I find that I need to make sure I have dry socks on too! If your socks get wet from sweat your feet will get cold.

December 19
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Lika S.

1:14AM PST on Dec 3, 2012

I have my heat set at 64F degrees. When I had ceiling fans, I used to do this trick too. I also like my tea.

December 3
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Heather M.

9:09PM PST on Dec 2, 2012

Really good info.

December 2
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Lynn D.

4:41AM PST on Nov 30, 2012

Thanks for wonderful ideas!

November 30
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JL A.

12:15PM PST on Nov 29, 2012

good tips--and besides being better for the environment, it should save you money

November 29
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rene d.

11:18PM PST on Nov 28, 2012

Simple tip- turn a light on. It is a cheap form of heating. You use it too take the chill off a room.

November 28
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Sheri P.

5:57PM PST on Nov 28, 2012

great tips, thanks!

Christine S.

5:17PM PST on Nov 28, 2012

Instead of buying pajamas, I wear sweat pants and sweatshirts that are too old to wear in public but are still fine for warm sleepwear. Wearing socks to bed helps a lot too.

Gale T.

12:59PM PST on Nov 28, 2012

Thanks for the great info!