Practical Ways to Reduce Your Gas Bill This Winter

We're used to cranking up the thermostat once fall weather arrives. But this practice is becoming increasingly less affordable with the constant increase in gas prices. Making your natural gas bill more affordable is easy. At first the changes you make might seem like a sacrifice, but gradually these small sacrifices will add up in the amount of significant savings each month.

As the weather becomes colder, instead of turning on your heat at the first chilly breeze, allow your body to adjust to the dropping temperatures. Get out a warm comforter for your bed or layer blankets--you'll probably find that in the early months of fall and winter you won't even have to adjust the thermostat at night because the layered blankets will trap the body heat you will radiate.

Wearing warm clothing inside is also a good tip. Your house doesn't have to be a sauna to be inhabitable. Throw on a comfortable sweater or sweatshirt and get a nice pair of slippers or some soft socks. Throws or blankets on your couch will make relaxing in front of the television cozy.

Keep a teapot and a stock of your favorite teas. Drinking warm beverages can easily cause you to break out into a sweat when you're feeling shivery. ( Besides being available in different flavors, caffeine contents, and qualities, tea is undeniably good for you; it is packed with antioxidants, is heart healthy, and even contains fluoride.)

It may not be pretty, but covering your windows with plastic can greatly reduce the heat loss that occurs because of poorly sealing or older windows. Kits that come with everything you need are available. They are simple to put up and easy to take down at the approach of spring. Heavy drapes will greatly decrease heat transfer through inefficient windows. You can also place rolled towels at the crack at the bottom of the door, eliminating drafts.

In the kitchen, after doing holiday baking, don't waste the heat produced by the oven after you have shut it off! Open the oven door slightly (making sure that no pets or children are in the area--this can be dangerous) and let that heat escape into your house.

As the weather gets cooler, space heaters can be an economical way to warm the space you're in rather than forcing you to warm the whole house. For example, why run the heat at full blast when you spent most of the time in your study? Space heaters can be found that do not pose the same safety hazards associated with older space heater models. They are compact, highly portable, and built so that even a towel draped over them is not a risk for fire.

If you have a wood burning fireplace, this may be a viable source for heat. Depending upon your natural gas usage, it may be cheaper than heating your house solely with gas. Fireplaces require maintenance and a constant supply of wood, but the relative inconvenience may be cost-effective.

As you can see, keeping your gas bills from getting out of control takes only a little effort on your part. If you can't afford new windows, new insulation, or a new heater (or you would still like to keep your bills to a minimum, even with these higher-cost cold-weather solutions), lowering your gas usage and adopting an energy conscientious life style can be financially rewarding!