Winter can be an expensive season that brings lots of extra costs. If you live in a cold climate like I do, you’ll have to pay higher heating costs, buy salt for your walkways, invest in warm winter apparel, and buy snow tires. All of these expenses can add up and drain your bank account, especially if you’re low on cash after the holidays. Luckily there are ways to economize while staying warm. Here are three strategies I’m using to save money this winter.
New Things I’m Trying to Save on Energy Costs
Heating costs are one of the most expensive parts of winter, especially if you live in a very cold climate like I do. Here in the Midwest we get snow all winter long and regularly reach temperatures of 10 degrees or below. Although I only heat my home to between 63 and 65 degrees in the winter, I’m always looking for additional ways to save on energy costs.
Use My Ceiling Fan
One trick I recently learned is to change the direction of my ceiling fan so it spins clockwise. Although it sounds counterintuitive to use a fan in the winter, running it clockwise at a low speed can actually help recirculate heat throughout the room. Since heat tends to rise to the ceiling, the fan can help push that hot air back down so you feel more comfortable and toasty.
Turn the Water Heater Down
Another money saving tip I plan to try this winter is to turn the water heater down. I got a new water heater last year and am not sure if I changed the factory temperature settings. Apparently the manufacturer settings are usually too hot and waste between $36 and $61 per year.
Add Insulation
This fall my partner worked on adding more insulation to the attic, which we’re hoping will reduce our heating costs. Adding more insulation to your attic can also help prevent ice dams, which can degrade your roof shingles and cause leaks over time.
It’s also a good idea to touch up the weather stripping around doors and caulking around windows to ensure there aren’t any energy-sucking drafts. You can even put a plastic film over your windows to insulate them and prevent condensation and frost buildup. But if you don’t want to invest in plastic film, try opening up your curtains and blinds during the day to let the sun heat your home. Then shut them as soon as the sun goes down to help keep heat in during the night.
Don’t forget to move any furniture in front of your heating vents out of the way, as blocking them forces your HVAC system to work harder.
Find Creative Ways to Stay Warm
I’ve also been trying to find creative ways to stay warm, save money, and pass the time during long winter nights. This year I’m crafting a makeshift quilt out of some fuzzy flannel shirts that are too small for me.
Bundling up in blankets is a great way to stay warm and save on energy costs, but even discount stores near me are charging $20 for a basic throw. So I’m making a quilt not only to conserve cash, but also to prevent winter boredom.
This may sound silly, but I also like doing dishes in the winter to warm up and pass the time. The hot water I use to sanitize my dishes makes my hands nice and toasty. Feeling a bit chilly is a great motivator to tackle those piles of dirty plates!
Protecting Belongings From the Cold
It’s easy to forget to move belongings inside before the cold hits. But leaving items like power tools in the shed over the winter could cost you if they break due to the frigid temperatures. It’s worth taking the time to walk around your yard and inspect your shed to make sure everything is stored properly.
If you’re not sure which belongings should be stored inside or covered during the winter, here are some general guidelines I follow.
Belongings I Move Inside
I always store paint inside because cold weather and temperature fluctuations can cause it to congeal and ruin the texture. I also decided to move my bike indoors this fall. I’ve been lazy in the past and have just left my bike in the shed. But usually sheds aren’t very airtight, so there may be enough moisture to cause rust to form on the bike eventually. I decided not to risk it and moved my bike inside because my shed is pretty old and not in the best condition.
As mentioned above, I won’t risk storing my power tools in the shed either. Moisture and quick drops in temperature can lead to rust inside the tools and ruin them. But if you don’t have space to store your tools inside, make sure you take the batteries out.
Steps I Take to Protect Items Left in the Shed or Outside
If you have the space, it’s best to move patio furniture to a shed or other covered location. But I don’t have enough room in my shed for all my outdoor furniture, so I put tarps over them to protect them from snow and debris. Hopefully this extra step will keep my furniture looking nice for years to come.
It would be impractical to store my lawnmower inside. But I always make sure it’s in a dry area of my shed with no visible leaks. I also winterize it either by adding a fuel stabilizer to the gas or running the fuel tank dry. This prevents the fuel system from getting gummed up during the winter. Ideally you shouldn’t store a lawn mower outside, but if you do make sure you have a cover. It’s also recommended that you elevate it off the ground to improve airflow and help keep it drier.
Gas grills are usually ok to be stored outside with a cover on them. Make sure you clean it, disconnect the propane tank, and bleed off trapped gas in the burner valves. Lastly, don’t forget to shut off any outdoor faucets or irrigation systems and drain the pipes so they don’t freeze.
It can definitely be a pain to move all this stuff inside and find a place to put it. But being careful about properly storing your belongings will help them last longer. You’ll save a lot of money in the long run because you won’t have to replace things as often. If you’re not sure how to properly store something, take a few minutes to look it up so you don’t accidentally damage the item over the winter. Trust me, it’s worth the effort!
Save Money on Snow Tires
Another major winter expense that can take a big bite out of your budget is snow tires. On average, it costs between $800 and $1,000 to buy a set of four. When I bought my set about two years ago, I tried to save money by looking for discounts. Fall is usually the best time to take advantage of pre-season sales, so try to buy your tires early. It also pays to shop around and compare prices.
Make sure to do some research and search for coupon codes and rebates as well. For example, right now Ebay is offering 50% off tire installation when you buy eligible winter tires. The deal runs through December 10th, so you can still find ways to save even if you’re shopping a little later in the season.
My partner is pretty handy, so we’re planning to buy an extra set of wheels for our winter tires. This will allow us to put the tires on ourselves every season to save on installation costs.
What are some tips and tricks you use to save money during the winter? Share your strategies in the comments!
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