Comments on: Cheap Ways to Stay Warm this Winter http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: dawn http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-2/#comment-3033532 dawn Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:50:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-3033532 Hi We have found using eco logs on our two woodburners very economical compared to the extortionate heating bills we were enduring. As an alternative to wood they are efficient as they store less moisture and have a higher caloriic value, are carbon neutral, made from recycled materials are easy to use and take up less storage than wood. A good environmentally friendly way of heating your home and avoiding those dreaded energy bills. Hi
We have found using eco logs on our two woodburners very economical compared to the extortionate heating bills we were enduring. As an alternative to wood they are efficient as they store less moisture and have a higher caloriic value, are carbon neutral, made from recycled materials are easy to use and take up less storage than wood. A good environmentally friendly way of heating your home and avoiding those dreaded energy bills.

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]]> By: susan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-2/#comment-2030512 susan Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:26:07 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-2030512 I bought a 60 dollar -15 below sleeping blanket and it's even more efficient than an electric one my sister bought. I bought another for -30 fahrenheit, doesn't cling to me, so feels colder, but you can feel the difference in thickness, both worked amazingly well! The only problem is my breath is cold, I can't sleep if my breath is freezing. I live in a house with wood heat and the coals are all gone by early morning, so its extremely cold, like the other persons Scotland adventure cold. Water never froze in my room though, but I could see my breath My idea this year is find an old chandelier ring, an old hanging lamp, or a round metal right of some kind to use as a canopy for the bed with a curtain of silver mylar emergency blankets, lighter than velvet, but warmer. If that helps, also drink lots of chicken bouillon. I bought a 60 dollar -15 below sleeping blanket and it’s even more efficient than an electric one my sister bought. I bought another for -30 fahrenheit, doesn’t cling to me, so feels colder, but you can feel the difference in thickness, both worked amazingly well! The only problem is my breath is cold, I can’t sleep if my breath is freezing. I live in a house with wood heat and the coals are all gone by early morning, so its extremely cold, like the other persons Scotland adventure cold. Water never froze in my room though, but I could see my breath

My idea this year is find an old chandelier ring, an old hanging lamp, or a round metal right of some kind to use as a canopy for the bed with a curtain of silver mylar emergency blankets, lighter than velvet, but warmer. If that helps, also drink lots of chicken bouillon.

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]]> By: gracie http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-1988902 gracie Sun, 13 Nov 2011 03:39:42 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-1988902 My best strategies to stay warm so far this winter: A piece of a mylar sheet big enough to cover the front and back of my torso with a hole in the middle for head (reinforced with tape). I wear this like a poncho under my sweater. Makes a very noticeable difference. (Yes, it crackles...the reassuring sound of warmth.) Two layers of long underwear (like to wear silk long underwear next to skin and the synthetic type on top of that). Exercise. Taking two brisk walks/day gets my circulation going enough that I don't get so chilled in house. Just staying active. Cold is motivation to get fit! NOT wearing gloves indoors. I read on a site for deep divers that wearing gloves can actually make one colder. I felt warmer when I switched to just wearing them outside. (My thermostat is on 55 this winter for economic reasons.) My best strategies to stay warm so far this winter:

A piece of a mylar sheet big enough to cover the front and back of my torso with a hole in the middle for head (reinforced with tape). I wear this like a poncho under my sweater. Makes a very noticeable difference. (Yes, it crackles…the reassuring sound of warmth.)

Two layers of long underwear (like to wear silk long underwear next to skin and the synthetic type on top of that).

Exercise. Taking two brisk walks/day gets my circulation going enough that I don’t get so chilled in house. Just staying active. Cold is motivation to get fit!

NOT wearing gloves indoors. I read on a site for deep divers that wearing gloves can actually make one colder. I felt warmer when I switched to just wearing them outside.

(My thermostat is on 55 this winter for economic reasons.)

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]]> By: VIV http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-941522 VIV Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:10:23 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-941522 TO BRENDA AND EVERYONE , putting plastic over windows is advocated but then you have to find out where to buy it ,get to the town / shop, know measurements or maybe go on a wild goose chase looking for it so instead or meantime get an easy to find ,inexpensive pretty or plain shower curtain and slot it over your curtains ot more than one - optional whether to stick down at sides , best if no double glazing i think . I saw incidentally on tv t hat ladies of the night use silver foil on their windows so at the riskof being wrongly mistaken use that - put it over your curtains or pin up the silvery covers you can buy so cheaply that reflect the sun of f car windscreens - get a few of those and pin inside curtains to reflect the heat back into the room - that`s the thinking behind it and worth trying. London ,UK. Stay cosy. TO BRENDA AND EVERYONE ,
putting plastic over windows is advocated but then you have to find out where to buy it ,get to the town / shop, know measurements or maybe go on a wild goose chase looking for it so instead or meantime get an easy to find ,inexpensive pretty or plain shower curtain and slot it over your curtains ot more than one – optional whether to stick down at sides , best if no double glazing i think .
I saw incidentally on tv t hat ladies of the night use silver foil on their windows so at the riskof being wrongly mistaken use that – put it over your curtains or pin up the silvery covers you can buy so cheaply that reflect the sun of f car windscreens – get a few of those and pin inside curtains to reflect the heat back into the room – that`s the thinking behind it and worth trying. London ,UK. Stay cosy.

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]]> By: Lee http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-496891 Lee Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:21:21 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-496891 For toddlers, try blanket sleepers. I put the fleece sleepers over their regular pj's. We all slept better - the kids because they were snug and warm, and me because I didn't have to worry about them kicking their blankets off. For toddlers, try blanket sleepers. I put the fleece sleepers over their regular pj’s. We all slept better – the kids because they were snug and warm, and me because I didn’t have to worry about them kicking their blankets off.

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]]> By: Jill http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-217627 Jill Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:15:10 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-217627 We've done the shutting off temporarily unused rooms thing - but today I discovered that there was ICE between the sofa and the wall (which is an external wall)in the office/guestroom. NOT a good thing, and getting moldy walls fixed will cost more than the heating - we opened the door up again. We’ve done the shutting off temporarily unused rooms thing – but today I discovered that there was ICE between the sofa and the wall (which is an external wall)in the office/guestroom. NOT a good thing, and getting moldy walls fixed will cost more than the heating – we opened the door up again.

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]]> By: Jan-Lynn http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-217183 Jan-Lynn Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:55:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-217183 Some of the tips are good, but 54 degrees at nite and during the day when you are gone is TOO low. Especially if you have babies or toddlers.... It takes longer to bring that heat back up too if you get the house so cold all the time. Set it at 65. Some of the tips are good, but 54 degrees at nite and during the day when you are gone is TOO low.
Especially if you have babies or toddlers….
It takes longer to bring that heat back up too if you get the house so cold all the time.
Set it at 65.

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]]> By: Jo-Anne http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-214023 Jo-Anne Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:02:39 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-214023 I can hardly believe that the lady's heating bill was only $100. In the UK, if I were to heat my small one and a half bedroomed house (no central heating either), it would cost me about £500 (about $1000). My house is 3 degrees, and I am freezing my bits and bobs off! I can hardly believe that the lady’s heating bill was only $100. In the UK, if I were to heat my small one and a half bedroomed house (no central heating either), it would cost me about £500 (about $1000). My house is 3 degrees, and I am freezing my bits and bobs off!

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]]> By: El Cheapster http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-211524 El Cheapster Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:55:37 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-211524 I've saved a lot of money by heating with wood. There's a lot of scrap wood around. There are some necessary prerequisites: 1) Must have stove, outdoor boiler, furnace, etc. to burn the wood. 2) Wood must be dry and seasoned. 3) Must have wood to burn. If you're one of the greenies, you'll like the fact that wood is one of the "carbon-neutral" fuels. It's the best way to heat until the luddites permit nuke power. :) I’ve saved a lot of money by heating with wood. There’s a lot of scrap wood around. There are some necessary prerequisites:
1) Must have stove, outdoor boiler, furnace, etc. to burn the wood.
2) Wood must be dry and seasoned.
3) Must have wood to burn.

If you’re one of the greenies, you’ll like the fact that wood is one of the “carbon-neutral” fuels.

It’s the best way to heat until the luddites permit nuke power. :)

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]]> By: jared http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-160679 jared Sun, 21 Dec 2008 07:15:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-160679 hi so I bought my first house this year @ the end of winter last year and thought everything would bwe good but found out my water pipes are run through my walls and the backside walls are poorly constructed and my thermostat is in my bedroom. well my water pipes froze and burst last week they blew water though my kitchen and laundry room. my laundry room is not heated so now I have two gaping holes in the kitchen and laundry room. my living room stays about 45 degrees in my living room and 70 in my bedroom... I've been caulking my house everywhere and it's slowly seeming to help but I don't make much money and I live alone in a 2000 sqaure foot house and im disabled vet with my body breaking down more and more both knees and shoulders one which comes out of socket all the time. im overwhelmed ... I need help/advice... jr71x hotmail.com hi so I bought my first house this year @ the end of winter last year and thought everything would bwe good but found out my water pipes are run through my walls and the backside walls are poorly constructed and my thermostat is in my bedroom. well my water pipes froze and burst last week they blew water though my kitchen and laundry room. my laundry room is not heated so now I have two gaping holes in the kitchen and laundry room. my living room stays about 45 degrees in my living room and 70 in my bedroom… I’ve been caulking my house everywhere and it’s slowly seeming to help but I don’t make much money and I live alone in a 2000 sqaure foot house and im disabled vet with my body breaking down more and more both knees and shoulders one which comes out of socket all the time. im overwhelmed … I need help/advice… jr71x hotmail.com

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]]> By: is http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-159900 is Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:53:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-159900 Two thoughts. 1) fleece clothing (from head to toes) is incredibly warm, easy to wash, and dries so fast that the dryer isn't needed. 2)Keeping the thermostat lower is working for us because we have a few "hot" spots where we can hibernate. They are created by _keeping doors closed_ to smaller, frequently used rooms. The kitchen, with a small sitting area, gets its warmth from cooking, appliance output, and south sun. My study and adjacent bathroom are small and get some extra warmth from my computer's heat output and shower/tub water which I set to drain slowly. This is somewhat the opposite of closing unused rooms - everything is cooler except the most used rooms. The cool bedroom is better for sleeping. Two thoughts. 1) fleece clothing (from head to toes) is incredibly warm, easy to wash, and dries so fast that the dryer isn’t needed. 2)Keeping the thermostat lower is working for us because we have a few “hot” spots where we can hibernate. They are created by _keeping doors closed_ to smaller, frequently used rooms. The kitchen, with a small sitting area, gets its warmth from cooking, appliance output, and south sun. My study and adjacent bathroom are small and get some extra warmth from my computer’s heat output and shower/tub water which I set to drain slowly. This is somewhat the opposite of closing unused rooms – everything is cooler except the most used rooms. The cool bedroom is better for sleeping.

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]]> By: Mary http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-150371 Mary Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:03:02 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-150371 We painted all our walls and ceilings plus our outside house foundation with paint that has insuladd powder added and it helps keep the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Go to www.insuladd.com to find out about this product. Excellent product. It really helps cut our energy costs. Of course, we do other things to cut down on drafts, etc. We use a humidifier which helps make the temperature in the house feel so much warmer. We keep our thermostat at 62 degrees when we are home and we drop it down to 50 degrees when we sleep. We pay our heating bill by being on a budget plan through our energy company and last year and this year we still have a credit on our bill and that is the truth. We conserve but we don't go cold either. In the summer, we are also, signed up for an energy saving program to save 15% on our cooling. I am in the process of insulating our drapes and roman shades plus we always put heavy duty clear plastic on all our windows. In a pinch, if I found a small draft, I take my glue gun out and fill in the area-it dries clear and no one can see it. We painted all our walls and ceilings plus our outside house foundation with paint that has insuladd powder added and it helps keep the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Go to http://www.insuladd.com to find out about this product. Excellent product. It really helps cut our energy costs. Of course, we do other things to cut down on drafts, etc. We use a humidifier which helps make the temperature in the house feel so much warmer. We keep our thermostat at 62 degrees when we are home and we drop it down to 50 degrees when we sleep. We pay our heating bill by being on a budget plan through our energy company and last year and this year we still have a credit on our bill and that is the truth. We conserve but we don’t go cold either. In the summer, we are also, signed up for an energy saving program to save 15% on our cooling. I am in the process of insulating our drapes and roman shades plus we always put heavy duty clear plastic on all our windows. In a pinch, if I found a small draft, I take my glue gun out and fill in the area-it dries clear and no one can see it.

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]]> By: Seafire http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-117024 Seafire Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:34:33 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-117024 If you like to burn candles you can use a candle heater space heater to add the warmth of the candle into your room as dry radiant space heat. The candle heater is a radiator assembly that sits above the flame and concentrates the thermal energy into a ceramic radiant heat source. There is also an "electric candle" option. Makes an excellent night light, both heat and light from the same source, and if the power goes out, you can always put a candly under it. Lots of info on the website, www.heatstick.com If you like to burn candles you can use a candle heater space heater to add the warmth of the candle into your room as dry radiant space heat. The candle heater is a radiator assembly that sits above the flame and concentrates the thermal energy into a ceramic radiant heat source. There is also an “electric candle” option. Makes an excellent night light, both heat and light from the same source, and if the power goes out, you can always put a candly under it. Lots of info on the website, http://www.heatstick.com

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]]> By: Patrick http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-115084 Patrick Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:17:38 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-115084 We bought a Rinnaie 22,000 BTU direct vent gas heater which runs at 84% efficiency. The problem is that it's way too much heat for the one room, but it will not heat the entire house. I do think that it is enough heat for the house, but getting it to transfer around the corners is the problem. I was thinking about using the existing A/C vents to run a flex duct in the attic from the room with the heater to our living room which is very cold, with an inline fan, but not sure if this will be powerful enough to deliver the air. Any thoughts? In general I highly endorse this heater, but wish I had gotten 2 smaller units instead of 1. This unit was advertised to heat a "tight" constructed 950 sq ft. home at 20 degrees outside. It is much warmer than 20 here and our house is 750 sq ft. But it is not an "open" plan. We bought a Rinnaie 22,000 BTU direct vent gas heater which runs at 84% efficiency. The problem is that it’s way too much heat for the one room, but it will not heat the entire house. I do think that it is enough heat for the house, but getting it to transfer around the corners is the problem. I was thinking about using the existing A/C vents to run a flex duct in the attic from the room with the heater to our living room which is very cold, with an inline fan, but not sure if this will be powerful enough to deliver the air. Any thoughts? In general I highly endorse this heater, but wish I had gotten 2 smaller units instead of 1. This unit was advertised to heat a “tight” constructed 950 sq ft. home at 20 degrees outside. It is much warmer than 20 here and our house is 750 sq ft. But it is not an “open” plan.

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]]> By: Elaine http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-110276 Elaine Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:27:02 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-110276 This is what I do to stay warm when I'm sleeping. I wear underpants, wool socks, longjohns, flannel pajamas and a cotton nightshirt to bed. A fitted flannel sheet, one flat flannel sheet, two pillows in flannel pillow cases, seven blankets and two comforters are on my bed. When I'm awake, I like to wear either snow skiing pants or a pair of blue jeans that have a flannel lining on the inside of the pants. I also wear either a sweater or a sweatshirt over my flannel shirt. My cotton night shirt and my housecoat are also worn. If I'm wearing my street clothes, then wool socks and hiking boots are on my feet. If I'm in my pajamas, then I wear wool socks and bedroom slippers. Draftstopper pillows are next to all of the doors (exterior and interior) in my condominium. Draftstopper pillows are also on my window sills. Please buy a fireplace draftstopper pillow if you have a fireplace and remember to close the flue when you are not using your fireplace. Keeping the flue open is like leaving a window open and this creates a horrible draft. Warm air goes up your chimney and it gets replaced with cold air. Another thing that you can do to lower your heating and cooling bills is to put a seal over your clothes dryer vent. This will lower your utility bill about ten percent. Make sure that your bathroom exhaust fans don't create a draft. You need to make sure that this isn't happening because your bathrooms can get cold if you don't seal them. This is what I do to stay warm when I’m sleeping. I wear underpants, wool socks, longjohns, flannel pajamas and a cotton nightshirt to bed. A fitted flannel sheet, one flat flannel sheet, two pillows in flannel pillow cases, seven blankets and two comforters are on my bed.

When I’m awake, I like to wear either snow skiing pants or a pair of blue jeans that have a flannel lining on the inside of the pants. I also wear either a sweater or a sweatshirt over my flannel shirt. My cotton night shirt and my housecoat are also worn. If I’m wearing my street clothes, then wool socks and hiking boots are on my feet. If I’m in my pajamas, then I wear wool socks and bedroom slippers.

Draftstopper pillows are next to all of the doors (exterior and interior) in my condominium. Draftstopper pillows are also on my window sills.

Please buy a fireplace draftstopper pillow if you have a fireplace and remember to close the flue when you are not using your fireplace. Keeping the flue open is like leaving a window open and this creates a horrible draft. Warm air goes up your chimney and it gets replaced with cold air.

Another thing that you can do to lower your heating and cooling bills is to put a seal over your clothes dryer vent. This will lower your utility bill about ten percent. Make sure that your bathroom exhaust fans don’t create a draft. You need to make sure that this isn’t happening because your bathrooms can get cold if you don’t seal them.

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]]> By: kevin w, Ohio http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-108500 kevin w, Ohio Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:54:22 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-108500 Don't forget to monitor humidity. Raise your humidity a bit at the 65 degree F area and you will "feel" warmer. Not too high to promote molds in the house, but keep it above dry and not above 50%. Some experts out there can help explain the thresholds and combinations to work best. This is why some of you can keep the house cooler and still feel warm. I will be working on this in the future after I get my programmable thermostat. Don’t forget to monitor humidity. Raise your humidity a bit at the 65 degree F area and you will “feel” warmer. Not too high to promote molds in the house, but keep it above dry and not above 50%. Some experts out there can help explain the thresholds and combinations to work best. This is why some of you can keep the house cooler and still feel warm. I will be working on this in the future after I get my programmable thermostat.

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]]> By: Brenda http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-107704 Brenda Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:16:41 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-107704 Hello, I was wondering, a Gas company has given me and my family a HUGE hassle in the past and made us pay for a new meter that they billed us over 3,000 dollars for and we were renting at that time, the charges should have rightfully went to the Owner of the house. including This Gas Company threatened to cut off off the gas if we did not pay the monthly payment and I have 2 children. And we paid that. We paid that chumped up charge that was being made by this Natural Gas Company. We no longer deal with that company, but I was looking for another Gas company to better serve us as they would anyone else,instead when I called... the Rep said: let me check, O I am so sorry but we do not deal with that side of the street. say for instance, the other gas company deals with around the corner,we can deal with your side of the street then." And this is my local area to call for connection to Gas. Any tips on keeping Warm this winter due to no heating Gas?? Please reply fast, its already snowed here.:D Thank you. Brenda Hello, I was wondering, a Gas company has given me and my family a HUGE hassle in the past and made us pay for a new meter that they billed us over 3,000 dollars for and we were renting at that time, the charges should have rightfully went to the Owner of the house.
including This Gas Company threatened to cut off off the gas if we did not pay the monthly payment and I have 2 children. And we paid that.

We paid that chumped up charge that was being made by this Natural Gas Company.

We no longer deal with that company, but I was looking for another Gas company to better serve us as they would anyone else,instead when I called… the Rep said: let me check, O I am so sorry but we do not deal with that side of the street. say for instance, the other gas company deals with around the corner,we can deal with your side of the street then.”

And this is my local area to call for connection to Gas.

Any tips on keeping Warm this winter due to no heating Gas?? Please reply fast, its already snowed here.:D
Thank you.
Brenda

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]]> By: Ellie http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-106466 Ellie Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:09:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-106466 I live in a 140 year old farm house with 1 1/2 thick rock walls. We have no Central Air or Heat and never will. (there is no way to install it). In the summer we have 2 window units that we use but for the winter we have a wood burning stove in the living room, a gas heater in the downstairs bedroom and one in the kitchen. That and two electric space heaters. 54 in your bed room at night try about 35. I actually did a test to find out how cold it was, we had a cold snap and it hovered around freezing all day outside and I put the the thermometer in my room just to see ( this was about noon) and it was 35 degrees. Let me tell you I didn't spend much time in my room on those days. I did sleep up there in the nights though. My tip Lots of blankets in the coldest part of the winter I have around 5. The slippers are a good idea too, some nights it's really hard to stay warm I just leave them on. And the area rugs work very well as we have hard wood floors every where. I live in a 140 year old farm house with 1 1/2 thick rock walls. We have no Central Air or Heat and never will. (there is no way to install it). In the summer we have 2 window units that we use but for the winter we have a wood burning stove in the living room, a gas heater in the downstairs bedroom and one in the kitchen. That and two electric space heaters. 54 in your bed room at night try about 35. I actually did a test to find out how cold it was, we had a cold snap and it hovered around freezing all day outside and I put the the thermometer in my room just to see ( this was about noon) and it was 35 degrees. Let me tell you I didn’t spend much time in my room on those days. I did sleep up there in the nights though. My tip Lots of blankets in the coldest part of the winter I have around 5. The slippers are a good idea too, some nights it’s really hard to stay warm I just leave them on. And the area rugs work very well as we have hard wood floors every where.

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]]> By: Staying Warm on the Cheap! « Ms. No Single Mama Drama’s Blog http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-104373 Staying Warm on the Cheap! « Ms. No Single Mama Drama’s Blog Mon, 12 Nov 2007 04:22:55 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-104373 [...] Get Rich Slowly’s Tips [...]

[...] Get Rich Slowly’s Tips [...]

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]]> By: danielle charlotte abi & shannon http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-104111 danielle charlotte abi & shannon Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:31:05 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-104111 put your slippers in the microwave put your slippers in the microwave

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]]> By: gotrootdude http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-32359 gotrootdude Wed, 20 Dec 2006 17:34:55 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-32359 Two of the largest money savers are: 1. If you have an attic, insulate it. If you have a stairwell to it, make sure you have the special insulation for the stairwell installed. It's commonly missed, yet the R value of insulation is only as high as it's weakest spot. 2. Tint the windows with AET film. It will lower the cost in summer as well as winter. Two of the largest money savers are:
1. If you have an attic, insulate it. If you have a stairwell to it, make sure you have the special insulation for the stairwell installed. It’s commonly missed, yet the R value of insulation is only as high as it’s weakest spot.

2. Tint the windows with AET film. It will lower the cost in summer as well as winter.

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]]> By: Jeff Wright’s Blog » Blog Archive » Links Sent Home 12/18/06 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-31403 Jeff Wright’s Blog » Blog Archive » Links Sent Home 12/18/06 Mon, 18 Dec 2006 23:38:15 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-31403 [...] Reduce your heating bill GetRichSlowly offers some simple tips for cutting your heating costs this winter. [...]

[...] Reduce your heating bill GetRichSlowly offers some simple tips for cutting your heating costs this winter. [...]

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]]> By: BrianB http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-29969 BrianB Sat, 16 Dec 2006 05:02:50 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-29969 I keep an electric blanket on the bed, but only long enough to take the chill out of the bed before I get in. I tend to put off a lot of my own heat at night, so I rarely get cold. This has worked best for me since I'm highly allergic to feathers and can't even have a down comforter in the house. I have hot water, radiant baseboard heat and it keeps the house fairly comfortable at 68. During the day, when I'm inside, I wear wool lined slippers because my toes get cold, otherwise I tend to wear whatever is comfortable. I keep an electric blanket on the bed, but only long enough to take the chill out of the bed before I get in. I tend to put off a lot of my own heat at night, so I rarely get cold. This has worked best for me since I’m highly allergic to feathers and can’t even have a down comforter in the house. I have hot water, radiant baseboard heat and it keeps the house fairly comfortable at 68.
During the day, when I’m inside, I wear wool lined slippers because my toes get cold, otherwise I tend to wear whatever is comfortable.

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]]> By: brad http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-29918 brad Sat, 16 Dec 2006 00:58:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-29918 @jmco: Switching from incandescents to compact fluorescents is indeed a great thing to do, both for your wallet and for the environment, but I'd offer three important caveats: 1. Most compact fluorescents don't work on dimmer switches -- if you have lights on dimmers (i.e., that you use to make a light brighter or lower) stick with incandescents in those fixtures or look for one of the compact fluorescent models that do work with dimmers. 2. It makes no sense to switch out rarely used bulbs, like closet lights, to compact fluorescents. Those lights are on for such a short time that it would take decades to pay for themselves with the electricity savings. 3. Although these are rarely seen any more, be sure to avoid cheap compact fluorescents with magnetic ballasts -- those are the ones that flicker. Compact fluorescents with electronic ballasts, which are what you most commonly find these days, give off a steady light with no flicker and their light tends to be warmer, at least in my experience. In addition to being much cheaper over their liftetime (despite their higher purchase price), compact fluorescents last forever. I won six of them in a contest in 1990, and the last of those burned out just last year. Fifteen years is a pretty good life for a light bulb! @jmco: Switching from incandescents to compact fluorescents is indeed a great thing to do, both for your wallet and for the environment, but I’d offer three important caveats:

1. Most compact fluorescents don’t work on dimmer switches — if you have lights on dimmers (i.e., that you use to make a light brighter or lower) stick with incandescents in those fixtures or look for one of the compact fluorescent models that do work with dimmers.

2. It makes no sense to switch out rarely used bulbs, like closet lights, to compact fluorescents. Those lights are on for such a short time that it would take decades to pay for themselves with the electricity savings.

3. Although these are rarely seen any more, be sure to avoid cheap compact fluorescents with magnetic ballasts — those are the ones that flicker. Compact fluorescents with electronic ballasts, which are what you most commonly find these days, give off a steady light with no flicker and their light tends to be warmer, at least in my experience.

In addition to being much cheaper over their liftetime (despite their higher purchase price), compact fluorescents last forever. I won six of them in a contest in 1990, and the last of those burned out just last year. Fifteen years is a pretty good life for a light bulb!

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]]> By: jmco http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-29877 jmco Fri, 15 Dec 2006 22:08:44 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-29877 THE single best year round way to immediately save on electric bills: Convert EVERY bulb you can to compact flourescent. IKEA sells a number of hard to find sizes or look on the web. My bill dropped about $14 a month which over a few years really adds up. But I am really light efficient and turn lights off when not using them, etc. I imagine a family with people who don't turn lights off would save even more money. Note: CFs are hard to take at first but, leave them for a week. They have gotten a lot better in quality of light and come on faster. Although, you do need to wait for 30 sec or so for full light. No big deal. The second best way to save money: get a thermostat that comes on and goes off automatically. It can go to a lower temp just before you usually go to sleep. Then, about an hour before you awake, it can kick on to a normal temp. Then, just before you leave for work, back too low temp again. Just before you get back from work, back up. That is maybe 7 hours total with heat or AC on during work week. The only bad thing is they are limited to M-F and S,S timing. Stupid of the manufacturers to not allow day by day programing for those who have two weekdays off, or who tele commute from home two or three days a work week (as I do). THE single best year round way to immediately save on electric bills: Convert EVERY bulb you can to compact flourescent. IKEA sells a number of hard to find sizes or look on the web.
My bill dropped about $14 a month which over a few years really adds up. But I am really light efficient and turn lights off when not using them, etc. I imagine a family with people who don’t turn lights off would save even more money.
Note: CFs are hard to take at first but, leave them for a week. They have gotten a lot better in quality of light and come on faster. Although, you do need to wait for 30 sec or so for full light. No big deal.

The second best way to save money: get a thermostat that comes on and goes off automatically. It can go to a lower temp just before you usually go to sleep. Then, about an hour before you awake, it can kick on to a normal temp. Then, just before you leave for work, back too low temp again. Just before you get back from work, back up. That is maybe 7 hours total with heat or AC on during work week. The only bad thing is they are limited to M-F and S,S timing. Stupid of the manufacturers to not allow day by day programing for those who have two weekdays off, or who tele commute from home two or three days a work week (as I do).

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]]> By: Draka http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-29748 Draka Fri, 15 Dec 2006 16:56:14 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-29748 Also, insulate the windows of your house - more than 30% of the heat loss in an average house is through the windows (they help save not only on heating but also on cooling bills too). (Lowes has a If you have a water heater, insulate it (go to HomeDepot or Sears to get the tubing insulation as well as the heater insulation). As mentioned earlier, drafts are a big heat sink too.. The electric blanket idea was great.. Also, insulate the windows of your house – more than 30% of the heat loss in an average house is through the windows (they help save not only on heating but also on cooling bills too). (Lowes has a If you have a water heater, insulate it (go to HomeDepot or Sears to get the tubing insulation as well as the heater insulation). As mentioned earlier, drafts are a big heat sink too..
The electric blanket idea was great..

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]]> By: Generation X Finance » December 15th Friday Five - Double Dose Edition http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-29726 Generation X Finance » December 15th Friday Five - Double Dose Edition Fri, 15 Dec 2006 16:14:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-29726 [...] Cheap Ways To Save Money This Winter - J.D. at Get Rich Slowly has some great tips on how to not only stay warm but also save money this winter. [...]

[...] Cheap Ways To Save Money This Winter – J.D. at Get Rich Slowly has some great tips on how to not only stay warm but also save money this winter. [...]

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]]> By: Jen http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-29720 Jen Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:43:24 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-29720 If you have a partner who steals the covers at night (mine rolls up, burrito-style!), an electric blanket is less than ideal so we use a down comforter and a heated mattress pad with dual controls instead. We turn it on when we go upstairs to brush our teeth, and by the time we jump in bed, it's warm. Most nights, we set it on low (it's on a scale from 1-10), and end up turning it off by morning. And that's with the thermostat going down to the low 60s. Even when we were renting and having heating problems (like no heat for a couple days in a row), having the mattress pad on more than 4 or 5 all night was sweltering. Our mattress pad features an automatic shut-off so if it's been on 12 hours, it will turn itself off. This is great because it leads to no panicking at work if we can't remember if we turned it off. If you have a partner who steals the covers at night (mine rolls up, burrito-style!), an electric blanket is less than ideal so we use a down comforter and a heated mattress pad with dual controls instead. We turn it on when we go upstairs to brush our teeth, and by the time we jump in bed, it’s warm. Most nights, we set it on low (it’s on a scale from 1-10), and end up turning it off by morning. And that’s with the thermostat going down to the low 60s. Even when we were renting and having heating problems (like no heat for a couple days in a row), having the mattress pad on more than 4 or 5 all night was sweltering. Our mattress pad features an automatic shut-off so if it’s been on 12 hours, it will turn itself off. This is great because it leads to no panicking at work if we can’t remember if we turned it off.

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]]> By: brad http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-29719 brad Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:38:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-29719 @schizo: Yes, it's true that you can save energy by running your ceiling fan backwards in winter, and yes you should keep it at the lowest setting. The ENERGY STAR program mentions this on their <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_winter" rel="nofollow">Winter Tips page</a>, which has a lot of other useful advice. @schizo:

Yes, it’s true that you can save energy by running your ceiling fan backwards in winter, and yes you should keep it at the lowest setting. The ENERGY STAR program mentions this on their Winter Tips page, which has a lot of other useful advice.

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]]> By: Jarett http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-29718 Jarett Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:28:51 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/12/14/cheap-ways-to-stay-warm-this-winter/#comment-29718 Way better than an electric blanket is an electric mattress pad. The heat rises, and gets trapped between the sheets and your (ta-da!) down comforter. Way better than an electric blanket is an electric mattress pad. The heat rises, and gets trapped between the sheets and your (ta-da!) down comforter.

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