Winterizing Our Home & Health Issues

With energy prices being what they are we've really made a concerted effort to be better stewards of what resources we use.

We did make an investment that I hope pays off. We purchased a 5,000 btu heater that claims to cut heating bills up to 50%(it only costs about $2 a day to run it) and heats about 1,0000 sq. feet. If you're interested, here's the website: Heaters

This summer we had a new digital thermostat installed. One of our children took delight in turning the temp up to 80+ degrees in the winter. The new thermostat has a locking keypad so it can't be adjusted by just anyone. The new thermostat is now recessed into the wall so it can't be accidentally bumped (which we also experienced on several occasions) and has a larger readout so even those who wear reading glasses can see the temperature. :) I also read that new thermostats can reduce energy costs by up to 30%.

Several years ago we insulated the floorboards of the main floor which are also the basement ceiling. That helped reduce the drafts as well as making an effective sound barrier.

Wayne also added more insulation in the attic a few years ago.

Other things we do to help:

thermal/insulated curtains.....keeps home cooler in summer/warmer in winter (we have them in family room and on a sliding glass door. We noticed a big difference) look for clearance sales online for best deals.

everyone gets flannel sheets on their beds(we've purchased all of them from the thrift store)

everybody gets at least one blanket and a comforter/bedspread.

flannel p.j.'s for all or blanket sleepers with a t shirt underneath (helps reduces chest colds)


Deflecto Dryer Vent Room Heater - Energy Efficient Heating this was found at a thrift store recently. We had planned to purchase it from Lowe's. This vent returns the heat from the dryer back into the room. For $1.99 I thought it was worth a try to lower our heating bills.

As last winter was nearing an end, one day I felt cold air coming in through the openings around a light switch. I started checking the electrical outlets and light switches in other rooms too. Since we live in an older home, there isn't any insulation around the electrical outlets. Wayne found packages of these Outlet Insulaters for less than $2 at Lowe's. (I am not on their payroll nor am I being reimbursed for mentioning their name :::smile:::). Wayne bought two packages and was able to do the entire main floor.

Now for health issues in winter/cold weather:
I know I can be a bit fanatical about this but I strive very hard that no one catches a cold in our family especially during the winter. Matthew and I are both asthmatic and colds tend to trigger asthma attacks and bronchitis. It's better if we don't have to go on steroids every winter.

We all start eating yogurt every. single. day. for two months prior to cold season beginning and continue throughout the winter. It reduces colds. We started doing this after we moved back from Hawai'i and we were all sick as dogs our first winter back. I heard about it on the radio about a study done that proved it reduced the amount of colds caught and duration. It's worked well for us.

The children wear t shirts under their shirts. It helps to layer their clothing to avoid catching a chill. For myself I've noticed if I catch a chill, to warm up as soon as possible (hot shower, hot cup of tea, bundle up under the covers until completely warm) that helps tremendously in staving off a cold.

Everybody takes a daily vitamin. We try to eat right but don't always succeed. :)

The children are taught to cover their mouths/noses when they sneeze/cough and use hand sanitizer afterwards.

This is just common sense but dress accordingly to the weather.

If someone does manage to catch a cold, we lysol (or walmart's sam's choice lysol version) everything.....pilllows, door knobs, drawer pulls, toys, sheets, curtains, etc.

Last year we started something new: if one of the kids became ill I quarantined them to their bed. Resting as much as possible for the first 24-48 hours. Absolutely no contact with anyone...just me helping them when they got sick, making sure they stay hydrated, giving them books to read,, BRAT diet when ready, etc.. Did the Lysol routine too. We had 3 separate instances of 3 different people getting sick.....no one else came down with it. To me, that was a miracle in a family our size. So we're definitely sticking to the quarantine.

Oh, cold eeze and zicam work wonders at reducing duration/severity of colds too.

I'd love to hear from you....what tips you have, what's worked for your family.