Frugal tips for surviving an arctic blast
Posted
Dec 30 2008, 06:24 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
We recently survived an extended period of extreme cold -- down to 31 below zero one night -- so we were happy to see Julia O'Malley's "Baby, it's cold outside: Some tips for coping" at ADN.com in Anchorage, Alaska. After all, winter is just getting cranked up.
Some of her tips will save you money as well. For instance, do you know the best way to warm up your car?
Driving at moderate speeds is much more effective than idling. Want it to be warm when you get in? Ten minutes of idling should more than suffice. Extended idling when it's extremely cold outside can build condensation in the oil system, Julia writes. (Tom and Ray at "Car Talk" also dealt with this topic recently. You can read more advice at their Web site here.)
(Here's a bonus tip, thanks to the guys who did our home energy audit. Want to see your winter utility bills spike even more than they normally do? Leave your vehicle's block heater plugged in all the time. Plugging it in for an hour or two before you go works just fine unless you're parked in Antarctica.)
Julia also offers some basic home stuff: Open drapes during the day, close the damper when the fireplace is not in use, and make sure your attic hatch is insulated.
On the health front, she says, you may need more vitamin D, fish oil and sleep. Humidifiers, if they're clean, can protect against colds and flu. And here's an excuse to indulge in spicy foods -- they keep the mucus flowing, which is good.
Related reading:
Does cold weather save you money?
Simple steps to stay warm in a cold house
Cut your heating bills by 30%
