[Carol]

Need advice on staying warm while keeping the utility bill down. Just got my Dec-Jan electric bill & it tripled!! Only difference in usage was turning on the heat at night.

I am in N Alabama & it’s been really cold for us w ice on the car & a snow storm arriving on Friday! I have blankets & a comforter but the bedroom gets dwn to 55 even though the thermostat is set at 68!

Property management says nothing they can do since the ac unit is old & doesn’t have the strength to push the air to the back of the apt! Bought a cheap space heater but going to return it because it barely works!. I even put towels over the windows.

Please only frugal suggestions please as some of you are suggesting purchasing expensive heaters,electric blankets,etc.

which would be nice if I had the $$. On SS & the higher electric bill is taking away my grocery money!

[Kendall]

I wear a knit cap all winter. We wear layers, socks and slippers. I close bedroom and bathroom doors and only heat the main space we are in. I use a space heater, warm the room, then turn it off.

I close blinds and drapes during the coldest part of the day.

I open only for direct sunlight to warm room. I bought a heated throw blanket and sit under that when I’m very cold.

If I have to use the oven to cook, I open the oven door afterwards to warm room.

I have temperature set at 62 overnight and bundle under blankets.

[Christina]

If you can afford it, buy an Envi heater (about $140 on sale…regular price $180.) They mount easily on the wall and plug in.

I live in Virginia and it costs $50 a month to run one 24/7.

I have six but I don’t run all of them all the time.

[Lisa]

An oil filled space heater is the most economical space heater. It is a metal “radiator” filled with oil that is heated by electricity.

They often have timers and thermostats you can set and adjust.

[Mugsy]

Thank Obiden then call your electric company and see if they have an inspector that can do an energy efficient audit on your house.

Our electric company sent an inspector over at no charge to see where we were having air leaks.

It’s worth a call.

[Angela]

So many amazing suggestions. Thank you for asking this question. I use many of these techniques. I usually start covering windows near the end of fall.

I’ve found that putting a blanket on the back part of the chair, so I’m sitting on the blanket, really helps.

My bill comes with information on how to apply for assistance with the bill, you might check. Also cover the floor if you can.

I put cardboard under my rugs. I also pay extra on my account through out the year so I have a bit of a credit for winter.

Good luck.

Remember winter will be over soon.

[Stacey]

Try to insulate to prevent heat from going out windows and doors. Blanket up on doors. Plastic on windows. Curtains.

Close off any room that isn’t used much and has no pipes to freeze.

[Julie]

I can only go so cold even with layering. I have very bad fibro & osteoarthritis w/some bone on bone. I definitely layer & have a lot of throw blankets.

I always wear socks & my indoor shoes.

I also run the fan on our furnace to help circulate the heat. Our main house is gas heat.

Keeping it at 67-68 during the day and 65 at night (the far rooms are cold but I don’t mind a cold bedroom).

We have a gas fireplace in our very large living room & with a real feel of zero out it helps.

I run our ceiling fans on low & pushing down. Our budget for electric is $298/month & the gas is less than $70.

If I get cold because I’m sitting still I get up & move around.

I used to turn the heat to 62 at night but these old bones can’t take it anymore. Drinking hot beverages helps warm me up as well.

[Vicki]

Turn thermostats down to 65. Unplug everything not in use. Close off rooms not in use and shut off vents in those rooms. Layer your clothing and drink hot liquids.

Use cold water in washing machine.

For the future, set aside money in neutral(not hot or cold) months for such a time as this.

[LaDonna]

Wear layers even in the house. I wear thermals under my regular clothing all winter but if you don’t have those wear nylons or tights with sweatpants over the top, heavy socks (wool if you have them) and slippers or shoes.

For on top wear undershirt, tshirts, heavy shirt, sweatshirt and a hat. Wear gloves or mittens, even inside thinner knit gloves will help although mittens will be warmer.

The real key when it is very cold: hat, warm socks, gloves.

[Tammy]

OK not so frugal at the start but heated throws on the beds over the couch (sitting on them keeps you warm without being too warm) I prefer the throws as electric blankets just don’t work as well as the use to.

I’ve got 2 they were Pricy just never got warm enough to help ward off a chill.

The throws aren’t super cheap but I’ve gotten them from $20 to $30. They are also easier to move from room to room.

I keep my heat set under 60 degrees here in the Midwest winter and my cats love their throw.

The throw also doesn’t bring up the electric bills by more then a couple dollars per billing cycle either but I do keep mine covered with a heavier sheet to keep the heat trapped and they also don’t need to be laundered as often because the sheet keeps them protected from your body ( and in my case my cats as well the hair is on the sheet not the blanket ) so much easier to remove the fur from a sheet then the blanket itself.

Good luck and stay warm and prayers that this cold spell passes quickly.

My granddaughter attends college in Bama and they have sent out emails that everyone needs to stay out of the area until the storms have passed so she’s stuck here in Illinois from Christmas break but she’s safe but is chomping to get back.

Yes, being from Illinois she knows how to drive in the weather in the South but people in the South don’t and that could land her in an accident can’t quite get that trough to her!

When your 21 you think nothing can touch you OH TO BE young again lol!

[Lisa]

I keep my heat at 62 unless I have guests. I wear heavier clothing or a fleece. I have a very heavy comforter on the bed and a blanket, a long with top and bottom sheets.

I have a space heater for shower time. I have a heated throw to cover with whole watching TV.

And a kerosene heater I only turn on while watching TV. Shades pulled at night.

Wool socks I purchased at farmer market 2 for $5.00. I also wear slippers.

[Marjorie]

I have seen someone recommend using sheets of cardboard flattened boxes in the lower half of windows to block cold air

It actually works and results are about 10 degrees warmer inside. Blessings

[Rhonda]

Well for emergencies like this weekend in Alabama, if you have a tent, set it up on your bed. Throw a blanket or tarp over it.

They say it will stay in the high sixties in it. Put pets in there too.

For future, everyday living, close off any room you can.

Live in like you kitchen and bedroom. Dollar tree has LED light bulbs 2-$1.25. If you read on the box it will tell you how much it will cost you to run the power on that bulb for a entire year.

It is like $11 a year running it 13 hours a day.

Next, pay extra on your bill. For example, in the spring and fall my bill is usually in the $80 range.

I still give them $100 each month. That way when my bill goes up to $130, many times I still just give the $100 and my credit covers the rest.

It also helps in times when you miss work and have a short check or car repair that takes money then you can’t come up with power bill.

It is already paid.

[Connie]

So, turn that heat system off! So, get a couple infrared heaters! They will keep the house comfortable… also use an electric blanket or throw when you are watching TV.

Burn candles while sitting in the evening. Burn a candle in the bathroom to help warm it for showers.

Wait till the evening to cook and bake… and take advantage of the heat from the stove when you need it the most.

That heat system that doesn’t work is an energy hog. Infrared heaters really do work.

Just be careful with the candles if you have pets and kids… but they also help quite a bit!

[Susann]

Long ago I bought a pair of ski overalls and wear those inside when it gets real cold. You might check around thrift shops.

Buy those window insulation kits and cover all your windows.

Those 2 should help in the short term. Long term. Find out if there’s a law against no heat in the winter for apt buildings.

Buy with an eye towards cold winters. They aren’t going away.

[Vana]

Also, try to find a food bank nearby to help you with groceries.

[Lauren]

Bubble wrap on the windows is not very attractive but it’s very effective as an insulator.

Mist the window with just a bit of water, flat side of the bubble wrap against the window and slightly overlap the edges.

It’s easy to remove and reapply.

When it’s a bright sunny day I let the sun warm up the room and then reapply at sunset.

I’m able to keep my furnace at 64 comfortably

[Linda]

I saw a post where you set up your tent on top of your bed, take a lamp inside with you and it will be toasty warm in there

[Lisa]

Costco sells the under armor thermal wear. I bought several packages on special for $9.00.

I wear them under my clothing in winter

[Kathleen]

I love my electric heated throw so much! I put it over the back of the sofa and lean against it. My muscles relax and reduce pain. I can keep the house cooler and I don’t get cold.

If I get up and walk around doing things I stay warm then sit and enjoy the heat again.

Most of them have a timer and shut off after several hours.

When it’s super cold I put it on top of my regular blanket and stay nice and warm.

[Kimmer]

At the dollar tree they sell the clear plastic window film covers. Look in the tool section, usual sitting on a bottom shelf. Don’t just close doors, close the vents in any unused rooms.

Push that warm air into the areas you use most. You can make door/window drafts by using old sweat pants/jeans/anything with legs.

Stuff inside with rags, towels, old socks and seal each end~zip ties, yarn~just tie a knot.

Put those are the base of doors to help prevent drafts. Also make sure you don’t have any gaps around main doors that lead outside.

[Author]

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