Thermostat Savings

Here are some money saving tips to help with your heating and cooling expenses.

• Crank up/down the thermostat to try to save.  Even just a degree or two helps the bottom line, but isn’t noticeable if you put slippers on everyone and adds a sweater.  I found one source here that says a one degree decrease in temperature can decrease consumption by 4-5%, depending on what type of heating system you have.  A possible side bonus is that it might help you to lose weight.  According to livestrong.com, (despite how Lance conducts himself, they do have some good health articles…) lowering the thermostat can help you lose weight by increasing your “brown fat” activity.  Yep, we have different colors of fat.  I caution you though, I don’t think either of these sources is considered peer reviewed, but everything you read on the internet is true, right????

• Close vents/doors in rooms not being used.  This works especially well in rooms where no one will be for several hours or more.  (Parent’s bedrooms, closets, etc.)  My mother swears by this.  I consider my parents to be King and Queen in Frugal Land as I have learned most of my tips from them. 

• Queen Frugal also suggests turning the blinds up (still closed, just flipped up) during the day in the heat.  This supposedly diverts the light out and makes it cooler in the room.  If it is especially hot and sunny, you can even cover the window with a dark towel, sheet or blanket to help shield out the sun and keep it cooler.  This gives a cave like appearance that can be depressing at times, but the kids love it for a while.  I really think this does reduce the amount the AC runs.  

These are just a few ideas.  They don’t take much work and you shouldn’t notice much discomfort.  You might notice a little more money in the checking or savings at the end of the month, though!