Baby, it’s cold outside! Looking for ways to save BIG on electricity and heating costs??
Check out these tips from your frugal friends shared right here, and on The Frugal Girls Facebook Page…
Jennifer said: “Chasing my kids around the house to turn off lights is the only thing that works at our house. LOL… Our rule is if you leave a room turn off the light/TV/radio and shut the door.”
Davina said: “If you have kids that won’t turn off lights (or are forgetful about it yourself…) replace your light switches with timer switches.
Also we string LED Christmas lights year round and have them on timers to come on early in the morning while we’re getting ready for work/school and in the evening when we’re relaxing in the living room watching movies at the end of the day.. uses much less energy then the overhead lights and no one has to remember to turn them off.”
Jill said: “Use compact fluorescent lights (CFL), and programmable timers. On the interior sides of exterior walls, install gaskets around the light and electrical plates. Make sure the attic is also well insulated.”
Sara said: “We plugged our VCR, TV, DVD and stereo into a power strip and then turn off the power strip at night or whenever not in use. What made this easy was that we plugged it into a top outlet, which is controlled by the switch on the wall – very easy to just “flip the switch.” Anything with a remote or digital screen is always “on” even when not using very much power. We also checked out for free at our library a Wattage meter which told us how much each appliance used in “on mode” and even in the “off mode” – definitely an eye opener.”
Diane said: “Keep your thermostat low and put on a sweater or sweatshirt. Add an extra blanket at night.”
Alicia said: “We have a plan with our electric company. We get a discounted rate for almost the whole day, but between 3pm – 6pm we pay a premium. The way this works for us is that we use almost no electricity between 3pm – 6pm, specifically air conditioning/heating. A computer and TV are okay, because they use a low amount of energy. We don’t completely turn off the air or heat because it will work too hard later on when we turn it back on.”
Tina said: “Turn your thermostat down and go to someone else’s house that likes to keep it toasty. If you’re lucky, they might feed you too 
”
Bethany said: “We have a programmable thermostat that goes to 60 degrees at night. We also close the vents to those rooms that are not in use. I also put plastic up on the windows of the colder rooms, it is temporary and works well if you can get past the hassle of getting it up!”
Jane said: “New windows, good curtains, wool socks, good thrift store sweaters. You can also plant evergreen trees on the north side of your house.”
Beckie said: “Invest in the thermal lined curtains for your windows. I can’t begin to tell you how much I saved. Also keep your thermostat at a constant temperature. I leave mine on all day and night, set between 60-64. The home stays warm, even the old drafty house I live in. I’ve seen a significant difference in heating costs.”
Bekki said: “Plastic over the windows helps, and it is even better if you buy the kits in the spring! They go on clearance from $10 down to $2!”
Megan said: “Burn wood! My husband cuts dead trees down to make extra money in the summer, and almost always gets to keep the wood! We have made our money back on our wood burner, and are now saving money since we haven’t turned the furnace on at all. The house stays between 68-72 degrees and we live in WI!”
Whitney said: “We have propane heat. We save money by turning off the furnace at night, and run space heaters in the bedrooms. We also use some electric heaters during the day, and just stay in our play room to conserve heat. This has kept our electric bill to about $120 a month and we only use about 20% of our propane tank.”
Bobbie said: “Let your dishes air dry with the door open instead of using the heat dry on the dishwasher. Also wash and dry clothes or dishes early in the morning.”
Pamela said: “I live in a condo and purchased a small retractable clothes line that runs diagonal on my deck. When it’s sunny, I hang out clothes to dry, like my Mom and Grandmother used to do! Even if they don’t completely dry… at least I saved some electricity.”
Jeryl said: “I’ve been hanging clothes on the line for a few years now; have seen a marked reduction in my electric bill by not using the dryer. I still use it for whites, however.
Secondly, we installed a timer on the hot water heater to come on twice (a.m./p.m.) a day. There is enough hot water for my shower in the a.m., dishes & hubby’s p.m. shower.”
Katie said: “We turn down the water heater after showers are done in the morning. Then it goes back up the next morning.”
Melisa said: “Take military showers – only have the water on to get you wet and rinse off the soap. This saves you money on water and heat. We’ve seen a difference in our bill.”
Nancy said: “We live in the Midwest and besides getting very cold in the winter, the air is very dry, too. Our laundry room is right off the kitchen so we were able to unhook the dryer vent hose from the wall. We then covered it with an old nylon and let the warm moist air fill the house. It smells great, too. Just remember to cover the vent hole going outside!”
Terry said: “Leave the oven door open after you’ve used it. Also leave the bathroom door open while you take a shower and use blankets while you sit to watch TV. We have a mattress that warms with your body heat, so we don’t even have the heat on in the bedroom.”
Luci said: “Check for drafts. Caulk and weatherstrip where needed. In one apartment we had, we didn’t realize how much heating and cooling we were losing along the outside wall. I carefully inspected where cold winter air was pouring into the room. Most was coming in the spaces where the brick and drywall met. I used expanding foam for those areas. The room felt a good 20 degrees warmer after that.
Usually, leaks will be at windows and doors where caulk or weatherstripping might be worn. Some outlets also might not have enough insulation. Ask a home improvement store for tips. Some will run free workshops to show you how to prep your home.”
Christie said: “Check for drafts around windows and doors. This can be done with a lit candle. While holding the candle still, watch for movement in the flame or for the flame to blow out. If there are drafts, consider replacing weatherstripping or using plastic sheeting on the inside (or outside) of windows.”
B.J. said: “Don’t heat OR cool an empty house!”
Angie said: “Live in a small house 
”
Erin said: “Seriously – our biggest heat saving measure was building our house with SIPs panels. Keeps the house nice and warm.”
And finally… Chrisann said: “Move to Florida….no heat needed!”
Do YOU have any tips or tricks for saving on electricity and heating costs??
Leave a comment & share!
We have a fairly small house. During the winter we don’t run our main heater. We have an oil space heater in the bedroom for when we sleep and a regular space heater in the bathroom. When we go to bed we leave the bedroom door open and use a fan to circulate the warm air throughout the house.