November is a great time to winterize your home in preparation for colder weather. Here

are a few quick, inexpensive tips for cutting your heating bills.

1. Use a draft snake. This device was adopted during the Great Depression, and is one of

the easiest ways to cut the cold. It’s a long sack filled with sand or kitty litter that you

can push into the crack under doors to stop drafts. You can buy a pre-made draft

snake, or make your own.

2. Change the direction of your ceiling fans. Heat rises, so pulling the heat down from the

ceiling will warm your room up fast.

3. If you used a window AC unit in the summer, remove it for winter. Warm air escapes

through the vents and the areas around the unit.

4. Service your heating unit and replace filters. An efficient heating unit will work better

and cost less to run.

5. Consider using window insulation film. This thin layer of film sticks right onto your

windows and adds up to 70% more heat retention.

6. Use a candle to detect subtle air leaks. Light a candle, then move it all around the edge

of your windows. If the flame wiggles in the breeze, then caulk that spot on the window.

7. If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed when not in use to prevent heat from

escaping and cold air from working its way down into the house.

For more tips and articles view and download my November Newsletter:  november-newsletter-matt