How To Save Money This Winter
STL Real Estate is here to bring you several different ways to save money this brisk winter! We all know how brutal the St. Louis snow season can be on our bodies, home, and especially our wallets. So let’s compile a list of ways you can save money this winter!
1. Blinds
-During the day keep blinds open to let the sun in and heat the room. When the sun goes down make sure to close the curtains again to trap heat. The thicker the curtains the better!
2. Windows
-Check for leaks. If you can, make sure to install storm windows. Add another layer to keep the cold out, use two sided tape to hang plastic or bubble wrap around the molding of your windows. You can get these few cheap things from your local hardware store.
3. Fans
-Most ceiling fans have a switch to reverse the direction of the blades. Clockwise rotation will actually make the room warmer. Air is taken from the space closest to the ceiling and dispersed around the room. Since heat rises the air near the ceiling is warmer than the air nearest to the floor.
4. Thermostat
-Mind the temperature that you control! Do you really need to heat the entire house when no one is there? Take a quick second to turn down the heat when you leave for work or school.
5. Filters
-Make sure to change any air filter you may have in your heating and cooling unit. Better airflow equates to better efficiency.
6. Unplug
-STL Real Estate knows that your main concern is heating your house efficiently, but to cut down on cost in general make sure to unplug. Turn off the lights and unplug anything you are not using. We like to refer to the little red lights on your coffee maker, T.V., and other devices as Vampire Lights. When plugged in these devices continue sucking away at your energy bill and your wallet, even when they are turned off.
7. Fire Place
-If you are lucky enough to have a fire place make sure to use it! Clean it out before it gets to cold and take advantage of the free warmth that it provides!
8. Clothes Doors
-When you leave a room close the door. You can actually clothes vents in in the rooms you hardly use like offices, guest bedrooms, and attics. This helps lower energy costs by only heating the rooms needed. Simply open the vents when you plan to use the room again.
9. Dishwasher
-If you have a dishwasher, it is actually more energy efficient if you run the dishes through the washer rather then doing them all by hand. If you already have an energy efficient dishwasher you’re even better off! Make sure to pack the dishwasher full so you are not running more loads then needed. Also make sure to let the dishes air dry rather then using the heat dry setting.
10. STL Real Estate Pinterest
-These are only a few common tips that we are passing along. If you would like to see even more ways on how to save money this winter check out our STL Real Estate Pinterest page which is full of Do It Yourself money saving hacks and tricks!
