Saving Energy Costs

I recently moved into a new house and found the fuel bills outrageous. After a winter of $400/month fuel bills, I decided to save pennies any which way I can.

I started with my dryer. Instead of pumping all that heat out into the backyard through the dryer vent, I got a filter attachment, closed off the dryer vent to the outdoors and I can practically heat my house with one load of laundry!

Then I bought some sealing tape for my doors. By adding a better seal around all the doors leading to the outside, we no longer get drafts around the doors.

I also bought window sealing kits. We sealed about 90% of our windows and the house holds its temperature much better than it did before.

What are some of the things you've done to save on energy costs?

We also seal many of our windows and around our doors in the winter. I am also a fanatic for turning off lights. It drives me crazy when my kids leave their bedroom lights on when they aren't in the room. I think I am constantly walking around turning off lights. Since our kids are a little older now we also turn our heat down a little lower at night and just add a few extra blankets to the bed. I actually find that I sleep better this way because it is much cozier and I don't get so warm while I sleep.

If I am using the over to make dinner I will usually whip up some baked goods as well since I already have the stove heated up I try to get several things baked or cooked at the same time.