What are some inexpensive ways to lower my electric bill this winter?

Question

I have a small apartment that was converted from a garage. It's very drafty around the doors and windows. I'm no handman (woman) so I'd like to know some easy and relatively inexpensive ways I can make my apartment less of an energy hog this winter.

Answer 1

Fit draft excluder strips around the edges of the windows and doors. You should be able to buy self adhesive strips, which is very easy to fit - you just cut the appropriate length with scissors and peel off the protective film then press into place.

A heavy curtain behind the doors will also help, as will a "snake" at the bottom of the door. You could use a thick towel as an alternative for the snake.

Rain32's idea is also good. You can use cling film stuck to the window frames so that there is an layer of air between the film and the window glass.

Answer 2

Use weather stripping around doors and windows. It's pretty cheap and has an adhesive backing. You can get it at Walmart or most home improvement/harware stores. It doesn't take a genius to apply it either. You could also do the plastic on the windows. It helps a bit. As another user said by a "snake" to put along the door to stop drafts from coming in the bottom of the door. You could also have insulation added to you attic and walls to help hold in heat. Companies can come in and blow shredded news paper all over your attic and in the walls to help insulate. For an illegal way to lower your electric bill you could tape a strong magnet on the meter. It slows it down. But you have to remove it before the power guy checks the meter. This could also get you in a lot of trouble and I wouldn't recommend doing it unless you are ready to face the concequences. If your renting you could talk to your landlords for help and advice. Good luck.

Answer 3

Go to a thrift store to find very heavy duty drapes for the window. The ones that are lined with a rubbery stuff work great at keeping out drafts. Drapes are easier than the plastic sheeting that you have to stick on the windows and use your hand dryer to shrink to fit. For your doors, go to a Home Depot like store and buy felt in the insulating section. It has self stick glue and will stop drafts. Also if you remove the face plates from the switches and outlets, you can buy insulation that fits just inside. It will stop drafts from coming in the outlets. If you have old blankets (thrift store) roll them into a long roll and place them along the baseboards where the floor meets the wall. It will stop drafts from coming in those cracks.

Answer 4

the weatherproofing plastic is good stuff. it even works in wisconsin LOL

some other possibilities... talk to your landlord about doing an energy check and repairing the drafts and leaks. if cold air is getting in, so is moisture and that damages the building so 'he' might be willing to do some work for you.

also, talk to the utility company... they sometimes even offer supplies. also, they may offer a 'budget' billing plan in which you pay an average monthly rate year round.

also, call your county social services and see if you qualify for energy assistance and also ask them if they have any supplies for weather proofing to offer.

don't forget the floor! rugs !!! slippers!!! there is also a product made that is like an insulating foil. you can lay it under rugs and it will help reflect either the cold or heat, depending on which way you lay it down.

and please, DO dress appropriately. too many people want to walk around barefoot wearing t-shirts all year and that's just a waste of energy resources. also, put on extra blankets on the bed, keep throws on your furniture for snuggling. we need to conserve our resources for the sake of the planet, not just our pocketbooks.

Answer 5

I don't know a whole lot myself, but the best thing to do is to put plastic around the windows and use a draft dodger, on the bottom of the door. But the plastic is a big help!

Answer 6

You can buy kits that weatherproof your windows, and they are really easy to put up. They're sheets of plastic and you either tape them in place or use a hairdryer to "shrink" the plastic and seal it. You can find them at Target, Walmart, Home Depot, etc.

Also, you can buy door draft blockers, which are little long pillows that sit on the ground by your door. Or a long rolled up towel will do the same.

Answer 7

they make these black panels in a kit that hook to your water heater so you dont have to run it as often...basically the sun heats water as it goes though the panels onthe roof....they are said to work best in winter as well......actually those electric gen. ones may be the ones that are best for winter...either way, they are great to use.

try taking out the water heater and replace it with an on damand water heater....no more huge tank with water just sitting there cooling off over time wasting your money...

but yea with an apartment youll have to stick with the good ol weather stripping for everything..find and seal any leaks around light switches (gaskets can be gotten at home depot for those), fireplaces have a huge leak in them all the time, doors and windows all have leaks aswell as weather sealing kits/products

search some more on diynet.com as well...lots of weather stripping ideas there.

Answer 8

Plastic the inside windows all of em.. Put a rug in front of ur door to keep the draft out.

Answer 9

The best thing that I have used it a product called peel N seal. It is a clear removable caulk. You can put it around all of your windows and any unused doors.

Answer 10

Wear a sweater and drink lots of hot tea. Put weather stripping around the areas where air comes in (e.g. around the windows).