There are ways to minimize the amount of money that we pay for winter utilities. Here are a few tips and tricks to cut down your utility bills in the winter.
Make Small Improvements
Homeowners have until December 31 to winterize their homes and get tax credits for it, the IRS has said. Items like high-efficiency heaters, water heaters and stoves all qualify for a 30 percent tax credit, up to $1,500. The catch is that the $1,500 ceiling is for 2009 and 2010 combined. If you used it up last year, you're done.
Make Big Improvements:
There is a second tax credit that expires at the end of this year. You can also take a 30 percent tax credit if you install a solar electric system, hot water heater, geothermal pump, a wind turbine, or fuel-cell system. There's no cap on that credit, so it could be a good time to make a long-term investment in saving energy.
Call Your Utility:
Many local utilities also offer deals that can cut heating bills. Some give away free programmable thermostats or offer home energy audits. Others offer discounts and rebates on efficient heaters and other appliances.
Get a Space Heater and Use It:
Keep your house cool, and use the space heater in the room you're hanging out in. And your annual savings will be? Try up to $1,023 if you use electric heat.
Pay Your Heating Bill With a Cash-Back Credit Card:
If you are going to spend $1,000 this year, you might as well squeeze an extra $10 out of it for yourself. That assumes your card offers a 1%, and that you pay off your card every month.
There are ways to minimize the amount of money that we pay for winter utilities. Here are a few tips and tricks to cut down your utility bills in the winter.
Make Small Improvements
Homeowners have until December 31 to winterize their homes and get tax credits for it, the IRS has said. Items like high-efficiency heaters, water heaters and stoves all qualify for a 30 percent tax credit, up to $1,500. The catch is that the $1,500 ceiling is for 2009 and 2010 combined. If you used it up last year, you're done.
Make Big Improvements:
There is a second tax credit that expires at the end of this year. You can also take a 30 percent tax credit if you install a solar electric system, hot water heater, geothermal pump, a wind turbine, or fuel-cell system. There's no cap on that credit, so it could be a good time to make a long-term investment in saving energy.
Call Your Utility:
Many local utilities also offer deals that can cut heating bills. Some give away free programmable thermostats or offer home energy audits. Others offer discounts and rebates on efficient heaters and other appliances.
Get a Space Heater and Use It:
Keep your house cool, and use the space heater in the room you're hanging out in. And your annual savings will be? Try up to $1,023 if you use electric heat.
Pay Your Heating Bill With a Cash-Back Credit Card:
If you are going to spend $1,000 this year, you might as well squeeze an extra $10 out of it for yourself. That assumes your card offers a 1%, and that you pay off your card every month.