Well hello there, friends. Long time no see, eh?
With winter practically upon us, you may have already spotted
your electric bill creeping steadily upward. I know, I’m not happy about it
either. So what’s a budget-conscious student to do? Fortunately, I’ve got some
tips to keep you cozy this winter—with a little extra cash in your bank
account.
1. Close doors to
rooms not in use. Typically, I only heat the room I’m using. If I’m
watching TV in the living room for an extended period of time, the heater in
the bedroom gets turned down and the door to it closed.
2. Turn down the heat at
night. Pile on the blankets and snuggle with your pet instead.
3. Turn down the heat
when you leave. Why heat your place when you’re not there?
4. Consider the water
heater. Think about getting an electric water heater insulation blanket if
you have an older tank that’s not insulated. Installing an insulation blanket can cut your water tank’s
heat loss by 25–40%.
5. Pile on the blankets. Electric blankets are especially
nice this time of year, too, and use less energy than running the heater. You may
also consider switching to fleece bed sheets to keep warmer at night.
6. Dress for the
weather. This means sweaters, socks, and pants, not tank tops and shorts.
7. Close the blinds
at night. This adds a little insulation and will keep the heat in. If you’re up
for tackling a snowy-day project, consider purchasing some tinted window film.
Not only does it offer privacy from prying neighbors, but it keeps the heat in
during winter and the heat out during summer.
8. Take advantage of
(nearly) free heat. If you have a wood burning stove or a fireplace, well,
use it!
9. Check your furniture.
Make sure it isn’t blocking the heater and absorbing all the heat it’s putting
out.
10. Check your
windows and doors for drafts. If you find you have one, put in a maintenance
request or make yourself a handy little draft stopper.
What other things do you do to keep warm but within your budget during the winter?
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