It’s best not to use one for more than a few hours at a time in tandem with window insulation, solar heat, and extra layers of clothing. Still, Thom advises against running a space heater for an entire day due to the cost: the nonprofit utility service Silicon Valley Power has estimated that running one just during work hours can add $30 to $40 (PDF) to your monthly electric bill. “Line up the space heater so it’s directly pointed at you and close doors to keep the warm air in.” “They work most efficiently when pointed at one or two people in a smaller area,” says Thom, who co-wrote our guide to the best space heaters. The infrared technology in space heaters is designed to heat people and objects, not space, so they’re best used as a spot treatment for situations like warding off a chill in a drafty home office. Use a space heater (wisely, and not too much) So in addition to potentially saving money on gas, using countertop appliances you already own instead of your gas oven may have added health and safety benefits. Something to note about your gas appliances: The Consumer Product Safety Commission stated in January 2023 that it is planning to strengthen voluntary safety standards on new gas stoves. And pressure-cooking a stew for one hour in an Instant Pot uses less electricity than simmering something on the stove for hours.” (The energy savings compared with gas ranges or ovens is harder to measure, since the relative costs of the two energy sources can vary from region to region.) The Department of Energy reports that convection ovens and toasters use “one-third to one-half as much energy as a full-sized oven,” and it recommends “using the microwave oven when possible,” as well as using an electric kettle to heat water, which is faster and more energy efficient than your giant water heater. ![]() “For instance, reheating food in a toaster oven rather than your full oven saves you from preheating all that extra space. “If you already own smaller electric appliances like a toaster oven, air fryer, rice cooker, or an electric pressure cooker such as the Instant Pot, consider using them for certain tasks instead of your larger electric oven or electric range,” says Marilyn Ong, supervising editor for kitchen coverage. Another seasonal chore not to skip: removing your windows’ screens until spring some evidence suggests that they block substantial amounts of passive solar heat from entering your home. Who forgets to wash their windows as part of their housecleaning routine? (Most people, quite possibly.) Jon notes that regularly removing dirt, dust, and grime from your windowpanes is an easy way to allow more light (and thus more heat) into your home during the day. Keep windows clean and remove the screens Senior staff writer Rachel Wharton tucks folded towels or blankets along windowsills and the bottoms of doors. Staff writer and Bostonian Thom Dunn recommends the “classic New England move” of using a hair dryer to shrink plastic wrap over the gaps on your windows. For an even easier way to insulate windows, we recommend double-celled blackout shades but there are a few super-cheap shortcuts that can also get the job done. ![]() Deal with drafty windows and doorsĪpplying weather stripping around old windows and door frames can improve your home’s insulation, but doing so can be expensive and time-consuming (although if you decide to DIY it we recommend using Frost King's 0.25-inch Silicone Weatherseal which is relatively affordable). Regularly removing dirt, dust, and grime from your windowpanes is an easy way to allow in more light (and thus more heat) during the day. When late afternoon rolls around, close curtains and shades to keep the heat in. Get into the habit of opening window treatments in the morning (especially where you receive direct sunlight) to let as much sun into your house as possible, says Jon Chase, editor of our smart-home coverage. Open and close curtains, shades, and blinds strategicallyĭon’t leave your windows untouched! A Department of Energy study found that “75% of residential window coverings remain in the same position every day,” representing missed opportunities to conserve home heating and take advantage of heat from the sun. You’ve probably been nagged by a loved one to turn off the lights when you leave a room, but here, Wirecutter experts offer several other pain-free (and often cost-free) suggestions that take the sting out of your monthly bills. While smart bulbs, low-flow showerheads, smart thermostats, and other energy-saving devices help reduce your utility bills, tweaking some of your daily habits can lower them from a few bucks a month to as much as a few hundred dollars a year, often with little to no upfront investment. Chances are you’re spending more to heat your home this winter, which means, you may also be looking for ways to save on your utility bills.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |