I live outside of Boston and our house energy bill surges in the winter. And our winter lasts a long, long time! It’s not just three months, but the snow will start to fall as early as Halloween (ok, that only happened once) and last though April. We typically get a White Christmas.
Saving money on energy is always on our mind because our rising energy bill to heat our home coincides with the holiday spending season! My best idea to save energy is pretty simple yet very effective. It’s really to block the gaps in the doors of your house that let in the cold air.
The fix can be expensive — get new doors and door frames — or inexpensive. We go for easy and inexpensive by using this cold air blocking device called a door sweep by Frost King that my husband bought from Home Depot.
The door sweep works on our inner vestibule door by blocking out the cold air. If you need to block out cold air from an outside door, there are also air blocking pads on just one side of the door.
Here’s a video from Home Depot about how to install a Frost King door sweeps for outer doors:
This is what the Frost King Door Sweep looks like before you slide it under the door.
There is also a #PGEhome Instagram Photo Challenge Contest happening November 17-23 where you can win one of seven $100 Home Depot gift card!
Being energy-efficient (or using less energy) is beneficial for both you and the environment because:
- You save money!
- You are more comfortable in your home.
- There is less strain on the grid which reduces outages!
- There is less strain on other natural resources like water.
- It reduces emissions that can harm the environment.
Want more everyday savings tips to save money by being more energy-efficient? PG&E has tips here.
I hope you stay warm this winter!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
I use one of these on a door that separates my mudroom/enclosed porch from the rest of the house It helps a lot during the winter months.
Hi Barbara,
It’s amazing how this simple item can make such a difference in the heating bill, isn’t it?! I really notice the draft without it during the winter!
I totally agree with you, using less energy can both benefit you and the environment, it saves us money and at the same time we can help our environment to reduce its bad conditions(global warming). If people participate would participate this “saving things” it can have a huge effect. The greatest thing you can do to help save
the Planet is living green at home.
Hi William,
That’s great reinforcement about living green at home. Thanks so much for your comment!