· Pre-holiday hint, ask for a gift certificate to help weatherize your home or pay for fuel.
· Winter in a warmer climate with friends and/or family.
· Move in with a friend or have your friend move in as your roommate for the winter.
· Attend an Adult Day Program, Church or Senior Center during daytime hours.
· Use a hot water bottle to warm your bed, add extra blankets.
· Wear layers of clothing, especially natural fabrics.
· Use insulated drapes to improve energy efficiency; close draperies at night and on cloudy days; open them on sunny days.
· Trim or remove evergreens and shrubs that block the sun.
· Remove or cover air conditioners.
· Lower thermostat to 65 degrees when away or asleep.
· Set your hot water temperature at the “normal” setting—no higher than 120 degrees; wash clothes in cold water.
· Insulate your hot water tank and pipes with insulation.
· Place aluminum foil behind radiators to reflect heat.
· Vacuum heat registers.
· Close the damper on your fireplace when it is not in use.
· Don’t block radiators/heating vents with furniture or draperies.
· Minimize use of ventilation fans such as bathroom fans and kitchen hood fans.
· Use ceiling fans by reversing the spin and setting on the lowest speed to keep warm air down to the living area.
· Block drafts blowing into your home via mail slot, through the floorboards, doors or windows.
· Keep your garage door closed.
· Install storm doors and windows; put added insulation in your attic.
· Seal doors and windows with draft reducing weather stripping, plastic or door sweeps.
· Close down part of your house and move your bed to the sunniest room.
Important Phone Numbers and Websites
City of Manchester Welfare Department
(603)-624-6484
Health and Human Services District Offices
195 McGregor St. 603-668-2330 – Manchester
Walk-in hours 8:00 – 4:30
1-800-852-3345 ext 4238 – Client Services
New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning
(603)-271-2155 – Office
www.staywarmnh.org/residentialtips.htm#efficiency
www.nh.gov/oep/programs/energy/energyconservationtips.htm
“Keep warm tips and energy saving”
ServiceLink Resource Center (Information and Referral
1-866-634-9412 – toll free for entire state
(603)-644-2240
Southern New Hampshire Services (fuel, electric assistance & weatherization)
(603)-647-4470 or (603)-668-8010
www.snhs.org
Additional Websites on tips to stay warm
Additional Websites on tips to stay warm
“How to stay warm and healthy in winter”http://seniorliving.about.com/od/healthnutrition/a/stay_warm.htm
“How to stay warm and healthy in winter”http://seniorliving.about.com/od/healthnutrition/a/stay_warm.htm
http://seniorliving.about.com/od/healthnutrition/a/stay_warm.htm
“Keep warm this winter while staying warm and healthy”
“Keep warm this winter while staying warm and healthy”
http://4elders.org/tips/articles/heating-bills.htm