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Keep home heating costs downBy Cindy Williams Meadowlark District Extension Agent I am sure you can feel the changes in the air and sense what is about to come. Winter weather is just around the corner and it is time to prepare your home for the cold weather. The important thing is figuring out how to prepare your home for the cool season and keep the most money in your pocket. Anyone can turn up the thermostat, but it is important to figure out a way to keep your home as warm as possible without putting a huge dent in the bank. Here are a few ways to prepare your home for winter: --A programmable thermostat is a sound investment. Just by purchasing one of these, you can save yourself ten percent a year by turning your thermostat back during the times you are not home. If you are home during the day, programming the thermostat to drop to lower temperatures in the evening is also an option. When choosing a thermostat, be sure to look for the Energy Star Label. --Keep ventilating fans off in the kitchen and bathroom and only use these when necessary. These fans can suck the majority of the heat our of your home. --Caulk your windows and all around the outside edges of the sills. First, begin by caulking the windows on the outside. Then caulk the windows indoors, using a temporary silicone caulk, all around the moveable parts of the window. The caulk will come loose, when you want to open your windows in the spring, and can save you approximately $200 each year, just by sealing the edges of your windows. --Close vents and doors in the rooms that you do not use. There is no sense in paying for heat when no one is even in these rooms. --Make quilted window shades. You can make quilted window coverings yourself out of old covers or blankets. Check your local thrift store too for these materials and reuse them for a fraction of the cost. You can also hang blankets and quilts over the windows to hold the heat in at night. --Make sure your air filters are clean for your central air-heating unit. Dirty filters will clog the unit up and require it to stay on longer and work harder, costing you money. --Dress appropriately for the season. Avoid wearing a T-shirt instead of wearing a warm sweater so you don't have to have the heat cranked up. Also invest in a good warm pair of slippers to be worn around the house, which helps to keep your feet warm. --Have thick blankets, electric blankets, and flannel sheets on hand for when the wether changes. By putting on these heavier linens on, you can bring down the thermostat and never even notice that the temperature has dropped. --Bake to your heart's content. This is a great way to warm up your house and to feed your freezer. Who wants to be baking in a hot kitchen in the spring and summer months? Why not take advantage of the cooler weather and cook enough to feed yourself and your freezer so you can take a few nights off in the warmer weather. --Fill a coffee carafe with hot drinks each morning. These drinks will help to keep you warmer during the day and should stay warm in the carafe. --Pull back your curtains during the daytime to allow the natural light to help heat your home. In the evening, close the curtains back up to provide a barrier between the window and your home.
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