As temperatures continue to fall, you'll soon be forgetting about the A-C and looking to fire up your furnace. But predictions out earlier this year said it will cost you more to stay warm this winter than it did last winter. Spending a little money now can go a long way down the road.
With the looming threat of higher energy costs this winter, Bill Caldwell is relying on a fixed rate plan offered by his gas provider and an energy efficient home he built years ago.
"Heat reflective glass and high performance glass. That reflects heat back to the inside and keeps it cool and warm," said Bill Caldwell who's concerned about his energy bill.
But since most people don't have homes built that way, Hardware Store Manager Dale Miller says cheap products can help cut back on your heating costs starting with a five-dollar box of window wrap.
"That prevents the draft from coming in. It gives you the dead air space between your window and your film and that helps to provide insulation," said Palmer's Ace Hardware Manager Dale Miller.
And after the windows you can move on to the doors.
"You can put something like this on the bottom of your door to seal off the draft," said Miller.
The door bottom was only five bucks and for a buck-fifty this rubber pipe insulation can help you save energy, water and time.
"How many times have you turned on your water? Your hot water and stood there for a minute or two waiting for it to heat up? Well, this will help to eliminate that wait," said Miller.
Miller says you will get the entire value of each product because you can leave it on all year long.
"Any product that is good for keeping the cold out is also good for keeping the cool in. So it works both ways," said Miller.
Outlet seal acts much like the window wrap. You take off your outlet cover plate and place this film under it. It's just another way to limit the drafts in your home. All of these products will cost the average homeowner between fifty and one hundred dollars depending on the size of your home and what you want to insulate.
Online Reporter: Nadia Crow
