Your own body is one of the best heat sources you’ve got. Human body heat is so powerful that architects and engineers have started looking at ways to channel body heat to warm office buildings and other spaces.
If you get cold at home, try reaching for a sweater before you reach for the thermostat. Dressing in layers helps keep you warm by trapping air that serves as natural insulation.
For every degree you lower your thermostat during an eight-hour period—when you’re at work during the day, for example, or sleeping at night—you can knock about 1 percent off your heating bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. As an added bonus, you’ll also help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
To make it easier, consider installing a programmable thermostat (look for the ENERGY STAR® label), which lets you set the temperature to go down when you don’t need the heat and return to 68 degrees when you require more warmth.
