Save Money on Heating Bills This Winter
We seem to be getting shafted by both man and nature this year.We’re witnessing, on one hand, some of the coldest temperatures and most wintry conditions in decades. On the other, the financial crisis has made heating bills soar astronomically. The price of natural gas has increased by 82 percent in the last year, and our energy companies have happily passed on the damage to us.
Yes, we know, I hear you chatter as you hug the radiator more tightly, but what can we do about it. Nature can’t be stopped, and neither it seems can the lumbering juggernaut that is our world economic system.Have no fear! Here are my Top 5 Tips for keeping both your extremities and your pockets from going into deep freeze:
- Don’t leave the heating on when you go out. It may sound obvious, but you’d be amazed at how many people don’t think of this.Get into the routine of switching off whenever you leave the house, and make use of the timer function – if you have one – and you’ll save a lot of money.
- Use a portable heater to heat only your living room. Statistically, we spend most of our time in the same room (while we’re awake, that is). Try switching off the main heating and using things like electric fan heaters for the room you’re in. Even more economical are oil filled radiators which are extremely efficient at heating a room.
- Use a couple of hot water bottles to heat your bed 1 hour before bedtime. Many people leave the heating on all night which is completely unnecessary.Your body needs a lot less energy when you’re sleeping, so its easier to keep warm – all you need is a little heat until you fall asleep. After that your blanket will do the rest until morning.
- Get yourself a kitty. They’re like living, breathing portable heaters! They live to snuggle up on your lap and share their furry warmth with you. Just don’t let the plan backfire and get tricked into heating the house more just for the cat.Cats are rather clever in that sense.
- Have more sex! It’s a little known fact but I’m going to share it with you here – making love produces so much body heat that it can seriously save you money in energy costs! Switch off your heaters, find yourself a partner and do the deed twice a day and watch your heating bills plummet. (who’s the daddy now, global financial meltdown!)
OK maybe it sounds like I’m getting facetious at the end there but everyone gets so serious and depressing about this subject I thought I’d lighten the mood a little! What tips do you have to stay warm without going bust this winter?