Plan Some Winter Cost Savings
Older homes have their charms and a few challenges. One of the challenges is conserving heat in the colder months. With a little planning you can cut down on heating costs without wearing your long johns to cook breakfast.
You can of course insulate, caulk, and install double pane windows, but there are a few things that folks without handyman skills and with limited budgets can do short of major renovations.
The first consideration is the placement of furniture. Keep furniture from blocking heating ducts, radiators and baseboards as much as possible. When it is just not feasible to leave these heating elements unobstructed there is a product that fits over the heating register and redirects air into the open space. It is made of clear PVC and at one and a half inches tall fist under most furniture and is almost invisible.
There are also products that boost the airflow of exposed registers. The Airflow Breeze replaces the register cover and the Equalizer Register Booster pulls air into the room. Both products use electricity and claim to be energy-efficient. The equalizer costs less than a 40-watt bulb to operate. Another adaptation for registers is Cover Up Magnetic Sheets which allows you to cover up registers without dampers in unoccupied rooms.
Another important consideration is to stop drafts. The Twin Draft Guard fits on both sides of the door and moves with the door when it is opened and closed so it does not need to be repositioned every time. Window Stoppers lay on along the windowsill and come in two lengths. You can also opt for a Plastic Window Insulation Kit that comes with channels and vinyl sheeting that is almost invisible. Insulated curtains also help retain heat and can be custom-made or purchased in ready-made sizes.
Check out these websites for these and similar products:
www.solutions.com
www.improvements.com
www.harrietcarter.com
With a little planning and a few products, you can stay cozy in your charming older home.
Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net
You can of course insulate, caulk, and install double pane windows, but there are a few things that folks without handyman skills and with limited budgets can do short of major renovations.
The first consideration is the placement of furniture. Keep furniture from blocking heating ducts, radiators and baseboards as much as possible. When it is just not feasible to leave these heating elements unobstructed there is a product that fits over the heating register and redirects air into the open space. It is made of clear PVC and at one and a half inches tall fist under most furniture and is almost invisible.
There are also products that boost the airflow of exposed registers. The Airflow Breeze replaces the register cover and the Equalizer Register Booster pulls air into the room. Both products use electricity and claim to be energy-efficient. The equalizer costs less than a 40-watt bulb to operate. Another adaptation for registers is Cover Up Magnetic Sheets which allows you to cover up registers without dampers in unoccupied rooms.
Another important consideration is to stop drafts. The Twin Draft Guard fits on both sides of the door and moves with the door when it is opened and closed so it does not need to be repositioned every time. Window Stoppers lay on along the windowsill and come in two lengths. You can also opt for a Plastic Window Insulation Kit that comes with channels and vinyl sheeting that is almost invisible. Insulated curtains also help retain heat and can be custom-made or purchased in ready-made sizes.
Check out these websites for these and similar products:
www.solutions.com
www.improvements.com
www.harrietcarter.com
With a little planning and a few products, you can stay cozy in your charming older home.
Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net
Labels: Classical, Cold, Cost, Heat, Home, Key Transitions, Money, Older, Organize, Organizer, Organizing, Professional Organizer, Saving, Vintage, Winter
posted by Key Transitions at 7:15 PM
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