It’s that time of year: cozy couch time, watching the snow fall…and trying not to cry when you open your energy bill. Yes, heating your home can take up a huge chunk of the household budget, so I decided to tackle the topic for my column in the February issue of Redbook.
I found there are ways to spend less—if you’re willing to invest a little time and money up front. The good news: small, feasible changes you make today can show up on your energy bill as soon as next month. Here are two to try now:
- Cool down: Install a programmable thermostat (you can get a good one for $50) and set it to drop a few degrees while no one’s home. Savings: Cut heating costs by up to 10 percent.
- Lighten up: Replace all the old-school incandescent light bulbs in your home with new compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs.