How to keep your money from flying out the window this winter!
Window Pains! - Pun Intended?
How to keep heat from flying out the window!
Window film is a great way to help minimize heat loss during the cold winter months. The film is applied directly to the glass and has a static cling to make sure it adheres. You should thoroughly clean the window surface before application in order to get adhesion. It comes in a variety of sizes and most all of them are highly transparent. This thin film can help prevent up to 40% of your rooms heat from escaping the pane. Naturally, if the seals in you window are broken this product probably won't do all that much...but it would help some. Window Pains! - Pun Intended? - Part II
Other window heat saving options.
Another great money saver is window heat shrink film. This is typically placed over the window out to the molding and blow dried to get a good seal. This product is easy to apply, but a little more delicate then the window pane film application. Insulate...Insulate...Insulate!
Adding attic insulation will greatly reduce heat loss.
Remember the pink panther? Get ready to see him again when you stop by the local hardware store for your insulation needs. Owens-Corning I do believe has a full blown monopoly on the insulation business. Why should I care right? The fact is that they do make an outstanding product and it's relatively inexpensive when you consider your ROI (Return on Investment). Everyone should know that warm air rises (if you didn't, now you do). Where's it gonna rise to? Ding-Ding, if you said your ceiling - Johnny, tell him what he's won!
Adding another layer of insulation to your attic is somewhat itchy but very rewarding...at least monetarily. There are two popular types of insulation - rolled and blown.
Rolled insulation is just that...rolled. It is most effective when it is laid cross-ways with your existing insulation barrier. Forming a criss-cross pattern will help to prevent "leaks". You should wear a dust mask when installing any type of insulation.
The other popular type of insulation is blown in. Cellulose insulation is blown into a space with a sort of chipper/shredder if you will. You break up your cellulose "brick" and put it into a shredder that pumps it through a tube into your attic or wall. This is by far the easiest method of the two. It is also the messiest as well. Blowing in your insulation will help cover all those nooks and crannies that rolled insulation may not get. The machine can usually be rented from the place you buy the cellulose from. Lowe's will rent you one for free usually (if you buy your insulation there). Again, be sure to wear a dust mask for safety! Programmable Thermostats
Automating your savings!
A programmable thermostat is a nifty little device that also can help cut costs throughout the winter (and summer too!). A programmable thermostat is fairly simple to install and inexpensive to boot. The main function here is to regulate the temperature of your home throughout the day. When your not at home, make your hose cooler by a couple degrees. Let's say you leave for work at 8:00 AM and get home at around 5:00 PM. Besides working too much, you could be saving money!Program the thermostat to keep the house 4 or 5 degrees cooler during the day when your gone. Have it start heating up again at around 4:00 PM. That way when you get home in the evening, your house is the temperature you want, and you've saved money as well.
You can also program your thermostat to kick down at night when your snug in bed...this also shaves a few watts off your bill.
There are many different models to choose from to suit your needs. Do your research!
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Thermostats!
Hunter 44550 Auto Save 7-Day Programmable Thermostat
Amazon Price: $42.99 (as of 07/06/2009) 
Hunter Fan Company 44360 7-Day Energy Star Programmable Thermostat
Amazon Price: $42.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Hunter 44110 Set & Save Programmable Thermostat
Amazon Price: $28.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Hunter 44260 Set and Save Programmable Thermostat
Amazon Price: $37.23 (as of 07/06/2009)
Honeywell RTH8500D 7-Day Touchscreen Universal Programmable Thermostat
Amazon Price: $99.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Saving money made easier!
Insulation for Inflation...
Happy saving!
