What are the top ways to insulate/reduce heating bills in an older home?

Question

There is no wall insulation, and I have decided not to pay to blow in/insulate the walls. I have a gas furnace. So are there little things tricks to make things more efficient?

Answer 1

You can make sure all your doors and windows are sealed properly. Use the foam strips to help make windows seal tight and replace leaky sweeps on the bottom of doors and put foam around the jamb. Mini blinds also help hold in some heat, or in rooms that dont really need outside light you can thumb tack or staple blankets over the windows, most old houses are single pane windows that dont have much r-value (insulating value) Also Insulating an attic is easy You want to have about 6inches of loft above your rafters old insulation usually settles and becomes dense making it have less r-value. Any rooms that aren't occupied can be left with the door shut also shut the vents in that room it will increase air flow from the furnace to the other rooms. You can keep your over all temp down to about 66 F that's what mine is I have a small ceramic heat I use to cut the chill from time to time when watching TV. It is virtually unnoticeable on the electric bill. If you have a washer and dryer you can also let your dryer vent into the house when drying close by removing the vent from the outside and plugging the hole with raggs, This does add a little moister to the air but its good considering the cold winter air is very dry. Carpet and throw rugs on hardware flooring also cuts some of the chill. Hope some of these are useful to you.

Answer 2

plastic the windows,weatherstrip the doors and heavy drapes on windows also keep doors closed to all rooms that don't get used on a regular basis.

Answer 3

I put plastic on my windows and weatherstrip my doors

Answer 4

If you have a gas dryer DO NOT vent into your house!!!

Answer 5

wear thicker clothing, or possibly a light jacket.. lol