Baby it's Cold Outside

There appear to be no more 80+ degree days in the forecast here in Cleveland.  Midwest weather will surprise me from time to time, but we are at the point in the fall when it's downright cold in our apartment at night.  Always conscious about reducing energy and saving money, I want to make sure I take the right steps to winterize my apartment.

This article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer highlights tips for houses.  While some of the advice, like "checking the roof" is house, rather than apartment specific, the overall gist is the same.  Get in touch with your landlord, have him check the structural things in the house, and make sure your furnace has a clean filter and is ready to go for the winter.

Probably the most fun winterizing activity is insulating your windows.  All it takes is a kit (like the one pictured below and available at your local hardware store), some scissors and a hairdryer.  It's a pretty time intensive project, but worth the effort of keeping drafts from coming through your old windows.

Don't wait too long to get your winterizing kit, or you will find them out at your local hardware store

Another important part of winterizing is figuring out how to keep utility costs down.  For those of you in Northeast Ohio who use natural gas heating, you have an important choice to make about your natural gas supplier.  The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio publishes information and "Apples to Apples" charts with data about the rates for all the area suppliers.

Depending on your needs and current supplier, you may benefit from a change to a different supplier.  Before you make any switch, check to see if the rate is variable and how much it might fluctuate with market prices, and whether there is any penalty if you terminate the contract early.  If you aren't sure who your supplier is, it is listed on your current month's bill.

Besides these steps, grab some extra blankets, put on a sweatshirt and invest in some slippers!  How are you reducing energy costs without sacrificing comfort?

-Looking forward to Tuesday!