ARKANSAS, USA —
For the third episode of Arctic Arkansas, Meteorologist Stephen Abshire breaks down some ways to help save money as winter makes its way to the Natural State.
The holiday season and winter days are here, but the most wonderful time of the year can also be one of the most stressful times, especially this year as the cost of seemingly everything has gone up.
Two of the costliest items in our lives are our homes and vehicles. When it comes to your car, it often takes the brunt of winter weather, unless it's kept in a garage at all times. If it's out in the elements, it could end up costing you money.
Let's dive into these money-saving tips for your vehicle:
Maintenance
Stay up to date with regular vehicle maintenance. Checking your car for the proper levels and scheduling that tune-up could prevent further winter damage and a possible breakdown.
Tire pressure
As the temperature drops, so will your tire pressure. The air inside your tire condenses when it gets cold, which ultimately reduces the pressure. Keeping your tire pressure at your vehicle's recommended level will help increase traction on slippery roads, but could also save you a few dollars at the pump in the long run.
A study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that driving on underinflated tires can lead to below-average miles per gallon. For every pound per square inch lower your tire pressure is, your miles per gallon can decrease by about half a percent. To save money, remember to check your tire pressure, but don't overinflate when it gets cold, that can cause a loss of traction and wear your tires out prematurely.
No idling
Another way to save gas and maybe help save the environment too is to ditch extensive idling in the morning while waiting for your vehicle to warm up. Experts say that modern cars don't need more than 30 seconds to warm up, even on cold mornings.
Of course, the inside of the vehicle might be a little chillier, but cars actually heat up faster when driving instead of idling.
Heading back inside, it takes a lot of energy to heat your home as those overnight temperatures begin to drop below freezing.
The experts at Paschal Air and Heating in Springdale shared the following tips for saving energy. They also busted a few myths that ultimately help you save money.
- Don't set your thermostat low when you're not home then bump it up a few degrees higher when you return home. It'll take more energy to heat your house if it's a lot cooler.
- Despite how popular they are, space heaters can be pretty inefficient and dangerous.
- Similar to your vehicle, get maintenance before you desperately need a working heating system this winter.
- Reverse the setting on your ceiling fan. The University of Arkansas College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources suggests this because it pushes the heat from the ceiling back toward the ground and circulates the air.
All of these tips could help make your home more efficient at keeping you warm and save you some money along the way.
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