Easy On Your Lungs When Walking In Winter

Do you enjoy a walk in the winter air? While it is important to dress warmly, using the layer technique, but did you know that the cold, arid air can dry out and irritate your bronchial passages? Tina Vindum, author of Outdoor Fitness: Step Out of the Gym and Into the BEST Shape of Your Life, recommends covering your mouth and nose with a scarf before heading out for cold-weather exercise.

Wearing a scarf over your mouth and nose, heat and water will be trapped in the material every time you breathe out.

A very good ideal, because then that moisture and heat are available to warm and humidify your next breath on the way in. And that’s much easier on your respiratory system.

How To Cut Energy Bills This Winter

The winter season is here and many families are understandably anxious. It has been a tough economy and many people are worried about their jobs and keeping up with rising costs of heating fuel. Just the same, there are many cheap, or free, ways you can do to cut your energy bills. Here is a list of some of the easy, yet effective, changes you can start making today.

1. Make certain your furnace is gear up for the winter. Have a qualified HVAC professional check and clean your unit. Once the heating season starts make sure to change your filters monthly. If the filter is dirty it will restrict airflow which will use more energy since it has to work harder.

2. A programmable thermostat will lower your heating (and cooling in the summer) energy uses. You can set it to automatically adjust the temperature at certain times of the day and certain days of the week. That way the temperature in your home will automatically go down during the day when no one is home, or overnight. It can also raise the temperature shortly before you get up in the morning.

3. Take care of your fireplace. Make sure the chimney is cleaned and in good repair. If you use your fireplace more than once a week you should have it professionally cleaned yearly. Also install a cap or screen at the top of your chimney to prevent birds from building nests.

4. Caulk around your windows and doors. The more heat loss you can prevent the less your furnace will have to run, and that will save you money all season long. Using window kits is another way to prevent heat loss from older windows.

Make some simple changes that can help you cut your energy bills this winter. Take a few minutes now to save hundreds not only this winter but throughout the year and for years to come.