It’s about that time of year, again, when the days start to
get a little cooler, and the nights may even become chilly. September, October, and November are my
favorite time of year. The leaves begin
to change color, the air gets cooler, and the humidity begins to break. We don’t
really have the most brutal winters here at UT Tyler, but it does get pretty cold by Texas standards, and
with this cold comes a couple of costly issues, like heating, and having to use
more artificial lighting. Thus, I have
decided to compile a list of helpful tips to help you survive the brutal Texas
winter.
·
Adjust your
lighting
This won’t be your biggest problem, but it does get darker earlier during
the winter, so you will begin to have to use your lights a little more, and
your electricity bill will likely get a little higher. To counteract this, try replacing your light bulbs
with
fluorescent bulbs to minimize electricity use.
This will save you some money.
·
Start
getting ready to layer your clothing
Obviously, it will begin to get a little colder. If you aren’t prepared to start layering your
clothing, then maybe start buying jackets, long sleeve shirts, and jeans. If you start purchasing one item at a time
now, then you will be perfectly prepared by December.
·
Set your
thermostat lower than what you want
During the summer, you have to be careful about setting your thermostat
too low because it is so hot outside.
However, the winter creates the exact opposite situation. No one likes a freezing house, but if you set
your temperature a few degrees lower than what you really want, then you will
save more than you might think!
Automobiles are extremely susceptible to issues during cold weather. For one, purchase an ice scraper to get frost
off of your windshield in the morning.
Additionally, you should check your car’s tires, coolant, and brakes to
make sure everything can withstand the drop in temperature.
·
If you
plan to travel, pack accordingly
If you travel during the winter, then read
weather forecasts for the
places you will be traveling and make sure you are prepared for the area. Don’t dress for a Texas winter if you’re
going to be in New York for Christmas.
·
Seal any
leaks in your doors or windows
Make sure that your doors and windows properly seal the cold weather
outside, otherwise your electricity bills will go through the roof, and it will
be way too cold to be inside.
·
Prepare plants,
pets, and what have you for cold weather.
If
you have pets or plants that stay outside during the day, you may want to
consider moving them inside, or providing some form of shelter from the cold
like a dog house, or maybe even a sweater for your animals. For plants, your best bet is just to find a
spot for them in your house.
This isn't an all-inclusive list, however hopefully with
this you can begin to get an idea of everything required to save some cash
during the cold winter months!
