Most of us packed away the flip-flops at least a couple of months ago. And unless you are one of those true-blue snow bunnies, you probably weren’t exactly excited about the moment you had to dig through the back of the closet in search of last year’s sweaters, ear warmers, coats and boots. Along with this bitter weather, compliments of Old Man Winter, many of us worry at least a little bit about what amounts we will see when we cautiously open our heat bills and take a peek at the damage.

Most Americans have had to tighten their belts because of such a difficult economy. As seniors living on fixed incomes, we know how to squeeze a penny. But it doesn’t mean we aren’t also concerned about the extra expenses. That moment when we hear the furnace kick on is the same moment we see dollar signs floating from the floor vents along with the hot air.

If you have not yet made a decision to move to our beautiful, cozy environment at Westminster Village, we want to pass along a few winning ideas for savings regarding your winter utility bills.

• Here’s a fact you will definitely want to remember: Move the thermostat from 74 degrees to 70 degrees. It can mean a 10 percent savings on your monthly heat costs.
• Invest in some energy-efficient light bulbs. They use half the energy of incandescent light bulbs and also last longer.
• Examine windows and exterior doors to assure cold air is not entering your home. Some weatherstripping or caulk is an easy fix for that problem.
• Have an older-model water heater? Buy an insulation wrap to keep heat from escaping. This can reduce your heat bill by $20 a year.

After you’ve taken all these steps to stay toasty, snuggle up with a cozy blanket and a great book. It will be spring before you know it!

Posted by Elaine W., WV Blog Team