The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

The official student newspaper of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since 1923.

The Spectator

To weather or not

Danielle Ryan

As the falling leaves will soon turn to falling snow, it’s important for students living off campus to make sure their homes are geared up and weathered appropriately for the harsh Wisconsin winters that we are all too familiar with. Not taking the right steps in weathering a home could result in a frigid semester.

Senior Jimmy Burg said his college home is ready to take on the upcoming winter.

“I think we’ve done all we can to make sure we stay warm,” Burg said.

A method Burg uses to stay warm is placing a towel underneath his bedroom door to keep the heat in, he said. Aside from that, he’s covered his windows on the outside and inside with plastic wrap. He also said he uses heat from the oven to get an extra bit of warmth.

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“I always make sure to leave the oven door open after I’ve used it,” he said. “I’m taking all the heat I can get – every bit counts.”

Senior Seth Stauber said he uses plastic outlet plugs to keep out any unwanted cold airflow from entering his apartment. The small plastic plugs are great for covering up any outlet not being used and can be found at any hardware store for under $5, Stauber said.

Stauber also uses thermal curtains on top of plastic-covered windows to help ensure that no cold air sneaks in, he said.

“I like to make sure my bedroom door is closed before I leave to secure the warm air,” Stauber said.

Senior Andy Dercks prefers to dress in layers while inside to save money on his heating bill, he said.

“Blankets and layers are the way to go,” Dercks said.

Dercks also uses space heaters and window caulking to stay warm, he said.

Liz Wolf Green, media spokesperson for Xcel Energy, said there are numerous ways students can keep their homes warm at an affordable price.

For example, it is helpful to open drapes during the day in windows that face the sun – this helps the sun naturally warm the house while students are off at class, she said.

“Make sure to close drapes that aren’t facing the sun – that way, you’ll retain the heat,” she said, adding that all drapes should be closed during the night.

Aside from that, Green said to have landlords replace the heat filters regularly. This is something that a lot of people tend to forget about doing, she said.

“Dirty filters can reduce airflow by a surprising amount,” Green said. “Replacing your filters monthly can save you up to $35 a year on heating bills.”

Proper thermostat techniques will prove as a big money saver as well, she said. It is helpful to set thermostats to at least five degrees cooler than normal when away from home or sleeping. If available, Green said programmable thermostats work wonderfully by allowing residents to program when they will and will not be home.

“Programmable thermostats will automatically lower the temperature when you’re sleeping,” Green said. “Doing so can save you over 10 percent on your energy bill.”

Keeping these tips in mind can help make sure the upcoming winter is affordable and cozy for students living off campus.

“I’m not too worried about the cold,” Stauber said. “I’m ready for whatever winter has in store this year.”

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