How to save energy (and dollars) this winter

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY …
Winter in greater Buffalo means spending a good portion of your time indoors. And while you want to keep your home warm, comfortable and cozy, that can run up quite a tab for your heating and electricity costs. As the leading home improvement and furnishings club, DirectBuy of Buffalo has some helpful tips on heating your home more efficiently and keeping your electric bills in check.
"Needless to say, in these trying economic times, homeowners want to save as much as possible to go," said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. "It is amazing that, just by a few simple steps, you can reduce your electricity and heating significantly."
Here are few things homeowners can do: Set the thermostat no higher than 68 degrees when you are home, lowering the temperature at bedtime and when you’re out. Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans and run at slow speed. This creates a gentle updraft and recirculates the warmer air trapped at the ceiling to provide even, comfortable heat throughout a room. On sunny days, open the shades and curtains on the side of your home facing south to take advantage of the heat benefits of the sun. Make sure to close the shades and curtains at night for the opposite reason. Be wary of blocking your radiators or heating vents with furniture or drapes. To maximize heat from your radiator, place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room. Replace all the lights in your high-traffic areas with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Replacing 25 percent of your lights with these bulbs can reduce your lighting expenses by 50 percent. Weatherize your home by caulking and weather-stripping all doors and windows. Be sure to lock your windows to make them tighter and draft-resistant.
“There’s nothing more brutal than a Buffalo winter. Yet by following some or all of these simple steps, you can keep your home comfortable and manage to save a bit on your heating and electric bills,” said Klinger.
In the past 38 years, DirectBuy helps consumers enjoy enormous savings of furniture, home decoration items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located in cheektowaga 4950 Genesee Street, New York, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable environment, they finally have a direct purchase of financial control.
For more information on DirectBuy membership can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuycares.com.