Preparing Your Home (And Pocket) for Winter Heating Costs

This past weekend I received my monthly power bill and was once again faced with the reality that winter is rearing its ugly head. My eyes about popped out when I saw the increase from last month, and it hasn’t even gotten that cold yet. I can only imagine how I’m going to feel when I get the gas bill for my heat. My hair will probably turn white, and my wife will have to revive me with smelling salts.

The key to surviving the winter heating bills is preparation.

You could go on a graduated payment where the monthly bills are equalized throughout the year to make up for the winter, but that also means you’ll be paying double, or more, on the months where you hardly use any gas at all.

I choose to tough it out and just take the increase, but prepare myself and my house for the jump in price. All unnecessary vents are shut and drafty windows are taped over with plastic sheets. Any cracks in the doors are covered, and I never let the heat go above 72 degrees. That can get a little chilly on windy nights, but the house-proofing helps a lot.

With the house in working order, I work on my finances. After years of doing this, I realize how much my increases will be each month and plan accordingly. I get Christmas shopping done by the end of November and start months earlier. This prevents the last minute money rush in December and inevitable strain on my pocketbook.

The winter is the perfect time to stay indoors and not spend so much money on going out. I save hundreds a month by not braving the bitter cold, snow and winds unless I absolutely have to. The money that I spent on eating out and visiting places, now goes to my gas and electric bill. It’s not that much of a loss, and once the weather improves in the spring, then that money is freed up again.

You can also work on putting a little extra away throughout the year, knowing that come winter, it’s probably going to go to your heating bills. The good news about this is that you’re building a nest egg and might have some left over once winter has passed.

We can’t get away from using more gas and electricity during the cold winter months. It’ easy to turn off the central air in the summer, but heat is a necessity. Do your best to prepare for the big jump before it happens, and bills during the winter months will be a little more bearable.

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