Save by Warming Yourself Before You Warm the Whole House

You can save your money if you put on a sweater or sweatshirt before you turn up the thermostat. Each degree lower than 72 you can keep the thermostat decreases your fuel bill by about 3 percent.

If you can keep your thermostat no higher than 68 you save, about 12% compared to keeping your house a toasty 72 degrees. So, if your heating bill is about $150 a month you can save about $18. That will add up over the course of a winter.

I have an ugly red plaid wool blend jacket with big pockets that I wear inside the house during cold weather.

My slim wife often wears a blouse under a sweatshirt with her green fleece jacket layered over top along with corduroy pants. The top layer comes off when she is busy with housework. When she takes a break, she puts the green jacket back on.

I don’t know where the idea came from that all you need is a tee shirt and jeans when you are at home. Maybe it is OK for summertime but not in cold weather.

Flannel shirts, wool socks, slipper sox, red flannel long johns, corduroy trousers, long wool skirts, smoking jackets, vests, housecoats, cardigan sweaters, wool trousers and many other old fashion warm clothes should be making a comeback.

Fleece is a great modern substitute for wool for many warm garments. Fleece is easy to care for and less expensive than wool or flannel. My wife makes fleece pullover tops with a hood to keep the grandkids warm.

Warm yourself and the bed to save heating the house at night

Warm flannel or fleece PJ’s and nightgowns will help keep you warm as you sleep. Layer on the blankets and top it with a quilt to stay cozy warm while the furnace sleeps too.

It will cost you less to use an electric blanket while keeping the thermostat low. Keep the bed warm but let the house cool down.

If you have wood floors, keep a throw rug and slippers by the bedside to avoid frozen toes when you sleep walk.

Having the digital thermostat automatically warm up the house a half hour or so before you get up in the morning is a money saving luxury that I like.

We really are comfortable with the thermostat set at 68 during the day and at 62 at night all winter long.

Green folks like reducing the amount of fuel burned to heat their homes. These days the rest of us are happy just to save some money.

Click here for a free money saving report written by the Energy Boomer titled HOW SAVE MONEY ON YOUR NEXT HEATING BILL

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