Winter is one of those double-edged swords that we must endure in life. We know we’ll have to endure mind-numbing coldness, but on the bright-side, this allows us to finish all of the DIY-warrior projects we have been putting off. (If you live someplace where the winter means it’s as “cold” as 70, I hate you.)
Any time the weather gets below your tipping point, think about starting one of these weekend projects to save money on heating, electricity, and/or water. Keep in mind: These projects are not necessarily quickies, so we must rope off more time than we would normally in order to ensure we get the job done entirely and effectively.
1) Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats allow you to set up different temperatures for different times throughout the day. By adjusting the temperature when you are away from home, you can set it to a higher temperature (summer) or lower temperature (winter) and thus save money. You can have it automatically kick back to whatever you think is a comfortable temperature around the time you usually get home.
As Ron Popeil says, “Set it and forget it.”
Sample Product: Lux Touch Screen 7 Day Programmable Thermostat
2) Install a Ceiling Fan
Most people think of fans as a warm-weather tool. However, if you run them clockwise during the cooler months the fan will push warm air from the ceiling back to the floor. The warmer air will not only keep you warmer, it will make your heating system work less since you are using the existing heat more efficiently.
Better circulation of heated air can save you money, so try and install ceiling fans in any rooms that you frequent and think could benefit from better air circulation.
Sample Product: Westinghouse Turbo Swirl
3) Install Dimmer Switches
Standard light switches give you two options: OFF / ON. I would be more than satisfied with a dim light in a lot of situations… just enough to let me see my surroundings clearly, but not so bright that everything is well lit.
A dimmer switch gives you the flexibility to choose the exact amount of light you would like.
I imagine a lot of people would question the efficacy of a dimmer switch. For some back of the napkin numbers: A typical bulb lasts 1,500 hours or 1 year based on normal usage, costs $1.75, and uses energy costing $.10/kWh. Dimming your lights 30% saves 24% in electricity costs, extends the life of the bulb to 3.8 years, and saves you $60.40 over 5 years. (Source) Not too shabby, eh?
Sample Product: Lutron Toggler & Dimmer
4) Install Motion Sensors
Motion sensors are very useful for outdoor lighting situations. Besides giving a sense of security, they can save you money by not leaving the light on all night.
However, interior lights can also benefit from a motion sensor. Often times people leave lights on in hallways without thinking. Hallways act as passageways between destinations. Thus, if you install a motion sensor, the light is only on when you need it to be on.
My workplace recently invested in a lot of motion sensor lights for warehouse aisles across the country. If a Fortune 100 company is investing in a simple technology, that should tell you that there is a cost savings to be had.
Sample Product: Heath Zenith Motion Activated Wall Switch
5) Install New Light Fixtures
If you have the option, get a light fixture that uses compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They often times distribute light more evenly than a standard fixture while still saving you money on electricity. Win-win’s do happen!
Sample Product: Lithonia Fluorescent Ceiling Fixture
6) Install a WaterSense Toilet
WaterSense toilets typically perform at the same effectiveness while using 20% less water than the current federal standard. If you have an old toilet (not a low-flow), you could cut 4,000 gallons of water from your annual usage.
Using the math in my post about low-flow shower heads, this could wind up saving you about $30/year. It may not be worth it if you have no intention of getting a new toilet, but if you are already shopping it may be something to look at.
Sample Product: Cheviot Dual Flush (WaterSense Certified)
7) Install a WaterSense Faucet
Just as I said above, WaterSense faucets don’t sacrifice performance while reducing water usage by 30%. How much money this could save depends entirely on your usage, but with faucets being pretty cheap, the breakeven point can’t be more than a year or two.
If you have a rough estimate of how much water you use through faucets, take 30% of that and multiply it by $0.007 and that should give you an approximate savings per year. If you know your actual $/gallon cost for water, use that instead. That number is a rough average of what I saw across a few areas.
Sample Product: Leland Lavatory Faucet (WaterSense Certified)
8) Insulate Your Water Heater
When you take a hot shower, do you know what is busy at work? Your hot water heater. When you wash dishes? Hot water heater.
Being that it is used so often, anything we can do to improve its efficiency can save you money. Try wrapping it in an insulating blanket. This will serve to keep the heat inside the tank and thus save energy by making it reheat its tank water less frequently.
Sample Product: Thermwell Water Heater Blanket
9) Find and Seal Air Leaks
Do you know where the most common air leaks come from? The attic, the basement, around plumbing, around ducts, and around wiring penetrations. The aggregate air leakage can equate to the equivalent of an open window. Would you ever leave a window open in December while the heat is on? Absolutely not.
Start big and work down. Make sure your attic is properly insulated first. Then check your basement for any cracks or leaks. Next, you can caulk around all of the window frames, door frames, ducts and vents, etc. For the actual window panes, you can reglaze them. All of the doors and windows shouldn’t take more than a day.
Once you’ve done all of the leak proofing, its time to get window blinds. Not only can these be used to set the decor, but they also help insulate the warmth or the cool.
When all is said and done, these changes could lead to almost 10% off your electricity bill.
Sample Product: Insulate & Weatherize (Book)
You Go You DIY Warrior
What are you waiting for? Get working on all of these projects and start saving some money.
Make sure you figure out your breakeven point on any project you take on. If you only plan to live in the house for 3 years and the breakeven point is 1 year, the project is worth it. If you plan to live in the house for 3 years and the breakeven point is 5 years, it probably isn’t worth it. I say probably because their may be other factors to consider: Do you put a value on the societal benefit of reducing your energy consumption? If you want to go green, it still may be worth it. And you could always advertise the cost-savings when you go to sell your house!
If anyone has any other weekend projects for heating, electricity, and/or water purposes, give the suggestion via comment!
I'm MLR. After graduating from college debt free, I decided to write a blog encouraging people to adapt responsible and sensible personal finance rules.
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:05 pm |
I’m wondering if this was inspired by a someone searching for a fixer upper in the NE?
Only thing I can add would be to use a few power strips to reduce your vampire power. I have a few of these placed in plain view, so I can remember to flip the off switch when not in use.
Probably saves me a few bucks each month since power hungry appliances can pull 25% of their normal power usage when sitting idle.
[Reply]
MyLifeROI Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:59 am |
@Matt SF,
Haha, most definitely. And not necessarily just a fixer upper, but really any home that isn’t completely up to date (even though it is in otherwise good condition).
The power strips is a good idea. Do you have a link or something that lists what kind of devices draw “vampire” power? I knew there were devices that drew power even when off, but had no idea it was as much as 25%!
Thanks for the tip.
[Reply]
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:15 pm |
This reminds me to actually FIGURE OUT how to use my programmable thermostat! I’ve had one for 5 years and never used it b/c it seldom gets that cold in SF.
Changing your furnance filter every 3-6 months is also key.
FS
Financial Samurai´s last blog ..A Weak US Dollar Doesn’t Matter Folks!
[Reply]
MyLifeROI Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:02 pm |
@Financial Samurai,
Haha, as the first paragraph says, “I hate you.” Guess that’s the perk of living in an awesome place like SF.
Good tip on the furnace filter.
That’s why you guys are around, to remember everything I forget :)
[Reply]
Financial Samurai Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:09 pm |
@MyLifeROI, Cool man. Actually, it gets down to 50 degrees here! Brrr… chilly chilly. But, San Francisco sold me when it rained on a Friday night, meaning that it snowed 18 inches of powder up in Tahoe. Did a day trip on Saturday to Squaw Valley, and then came back Sat night and played tennis in 70 degree weather on Sunday! This was all in the middle of winter.
After that experience, I have to admit that I was SOLD!
Financial Samurai´s last blog ..A Weak US Dollar Doesn’t Matter Folks!
[Reply]
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:41 pm |
Never thought about the dimmer switches. Besides saving a little $$$, it would be a nice feature to have. I’ve never looked into doing this. Is it quick and easy to do or should an electrician take the reins so I don’t electrocute myself? :-)
Broke M.B.A.´s last blog ..Net Worth Update – October 2009: $66,090 (+3.98%)
[Reply]
MyLifeROI Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:05 pm |
@Broke M.B.A.,
Depends how technically minded you are. I’ve done it before and it was pretty easy for me.
Check this DIY tutorial out: http://www.easy2diy.com/cm/easy/diy_ht_index.asp?page_id=35720237
Make sure you turn the breaker off, as they suggest. That’ll make sure you don’t electrocute yourself! ;)
[Reply]
Broke M.B.A. Reply:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:52 pm |
@MyLifeROI, Thanks for info and website information. Looks like a great site full of useful how-to videos. It does make installing a dimmer switch seem doable.
Broke M.B.A.´s last blog ..Beyond The Emergency Fund: Saving for “Guaranteed Surprises”
[Reply]
November 7th, 2009 at 7:47 pm |
Instead of installing dimmer switches, install CF bulbs. Dimmers don’t work with most CF bulbs, but the CF bulbs will us a fraction of even a dimmed conventional bulb. Much less work, too. :)
[Reply]
November 11th, 2009 at 10:32 am |
I can testify that caulking around the windows and placing a sturdy draft guard around your doors can work wonders. You’d be surprised to know how just a little draft can make a room feel colder.
Emergency Cash´s last blog ..No Teletrack Payday Loans
[Reply]
November 15th, 2009 at 7:59 am |
A great list of weekend warrior projects, MLR. I’ll have to see what ones I can work on next chance I get, before these cold Pennsylvania winters start knocking at the door again.
@FS: You consider 50 degrees cold? Ha! That’s a balmy spring day here in the Keystone state. I’ve got to seconds MLR’s comment of ‘I hate you’
Roger´s last blog ..Book Review: Jim Cramer’s Real Money
[Reply]
April 15th, 2010 at 5:34 pm |
Do you accept guest posts? I would like to write couple articles here.
[Reply]
May 19th, 2010 at 9:48 pm |
Getting ready for the winter beforehand could definitely help you save time, energy and money. Fixing air seals where air can most likely enter is an energy efficient move.
Window blinds are not only cost-efficient, it also adds beauty inside your home while enjoying the additional warmth it can bring during winter.
[Reply]
June 3rd, 2010 at 12:15 pm |
Great Information. I’m reminded that I have been “talking about” replacing my old outdated thermostat for years. I never know exactly how cold or hot it is inside my house. Well, I’m off to Home Depot to get a programmable thermostat.
Shirley Kelly´s last blog ..How To Paint House Exterior
[Reply]
June 8th, 2010 at 6:08 pm |
Thank you for the tips and info on the projects. I live in SWFla. I haven’t owned a jacket in… can’t remember how many years. I have a tip though that could save people big dollars. When ever a lightning storm approaches, turn off your a/c. I’ve seen the sudden drop in electricity blow capacitors in the a/c unit. Happened to me once and it just happened to my neighbor. It can cost about $300 to get someone to fix. The part usually runs about $10-15 and for those that are handy, it only takes about 10 minutes to change one.
John Park´s last blog ..Oriental Persian Rugs
[Reply]
October 21st, 2010 at 3:04 am |
These are all great tips for saving money on your home’s upkeep. Simple and inexpensive home repairs will go a long way into maintaining the good condition of your home’s structure and its overall appearance.
Fixing leaky faucets and runny toilets is also a good way to save money! Other ways to update your home’s appearance in an inexpensive way is simply cleaning it especially your sidings or windows. Painting is also an affordable way to spruce it up. Dallas Drywall Repair
[Reply]
April 22nd, 2011 at 12:22 pm |
When you need a quality maid service in Dallas go with Dallas cleaning company maid services.
[Reply]
October 12th, 2011 at 7:45 am |
Internet thermostats are awesome. Today there is no issue if i forget AC turned on.
[Reply]