I get it now. I completely understand why the elderly are always checking the weather forecast and strategically choosing their seats based on air vents.  Getting old and always be cold is the pits. Conversations about energy efficiency are about as thrilling to me as discussing gas prices or weekly sales at Walgreens.  BUT I do love the planet, saving money and not freezing my astronaut off.

Aside from rocking your outerwear inside, there are some expert tips you can follow to stay toasty warm. There is a fairly detailed infographic from energy.gov that explains the energy efficiency of the various types of heating sources.  The most valuable information for those of us who want to do the best with what we have is at the bottom of the beautiful infographic.

• In winter months, open your curtains during the day to naturally heat your home and close them at night to keep the heat inside.
• Use a programmable thermostat to set your heater back while you are away or asleep.
• Consider air sealing your home and adding insulation to your walls and attic to retain your home’s heat. Up to 25 percent of your home’s heat is lost through small cracks and holes throughout your home.
• Seal your air ducts, and make sure they are properly insulated when they are installed in an unheated area of the home, such as attic or crawlspace.
• Weatherstrip around your doors and windows to keep warm air from escaping.
• Set your ceiling fan to spin clockwise to blow the rising hot air down.
• Make sure your chimney is clean.

If you try all of these things and you’re still cold and going broke heating your home please heed my advice. Get a pair of my great grandma’s favorite L.L.Bean slippers, a large dog or two and put on your big mountain girl pants. It’s only just begun.

Tags: dogs, energy efficiency, heating, slippers, winter