Discussions

This is our second winter in our home and found that our hydro is crazy in the winter so was curious what everyone does to help keep their house warm in the winter. We have a newborn in the house so will have to keep it on the warmer side. I was planning on putting plastic on the windows but no idea where to get it though?

Home Depot or can tire or even Walmart all carry the window plastic. I imagine any hardware store would. We have an older home and we notice the difference on our hydro bill when we don't use the window plastic. Make sure all the doors have proper seals on them. I think hydro will even come out and give you options to make your home more energy efficient.

Plastic can even be found at dollarama. ..yes, it works just the same as everywhere else. If your windows are older, I would also recommend using the inexpensive peel and stick foam weather stripping.  
Close blinds or sheers if you want light. Ou would be surprised at the difference a sheer makes.  
Replace your bottom draft stop of your exterior doors. Chances are the rubber draft stops have broken off. (I personally like the felt bottom draft stop from Canadian Tire.) Check your door frame weather stripping. You may need something there. Wise to weather strip your basement door (especially if it is an unheated or unfinished basement). Make an interior door draft stop to drop in front of the door to block any cold air from coming under the door. (In a pinch, use a good sized bath towel rolled a piece of 2×4 for weight.)  
if you have icicles hanging from your roof, you need add insulation to your attic.  
If you can afford it and can access it, insulate your floors.  
Manitoba hydro does have some grants to upgrade stuff. Usually you are reimbursed for money paid out for upgrades.  
Contrary to popular belief, I have found I save money without a programmable thermostat. Another guy actually shaved off $20 month (not EPP) by leaving his thermostat on the same setting. I don't know how other people find programmable thermostats.  
If you have overhead fans, leave them on low to circulate the heat (heat rises).  
And if you have an area of the house that always seems cold, invest in a small electric space heater with a thermostat for that room instead of cranking the heat through the whole house.  
Good luck. Hope that gives you some ideas to start with.

We have lived in our house for four winters and used plastic on the windows the past three winters. We have the old wood frame sash windows.  
 
The first year with nothing on the windows was ridiculous - you could actually feel the draft through the windows and our heating bill was through the roof.  
 
The second year we used the plastic kit from Walmart. It was definitely an improvement, but the double-sided tape didn't stick well for us even though we properly prepped everything and we found we were always trying to fix them.  
 
The third year we bought a roll of poly plastic from Home Depot, the stuff you would use as vapor barrier behind gyproc. We just cut it to the size of the windows and then used green painters tape to attach it to the windows. It definitely didn't look as nice (green tape, plastic isn't as clear to see through, and the plastic had a few brand stamps on it), bit it worked WAY better - no drafts, warmed house overall, and less heating cost. Plus, even though it was a bit more expensive, we just reused the same plastic sheets the next year and plan to continue reusing them. I just wrote which room each one is for in the very bottom corner.  
 
That may not work for everyone, but I was certainly happier with a warmer house and lower heating bill!

Most residents hot water tanks are downstairs where it's cold, especially in winter. Insulate both pipes, cold water in and hot water out.  
You will save $$ on heating hot water tank and your water bill. Hot water at your tap very quick.

you can also dress warmer, including baby, so you can keep the heat down a touch, wear slippers ect.  
 
do use plastic and even insulation between on the windows  
 
check all your weather stripping as said,& you can caulk or buy foam for your plugin plates or anywhere else you are getting drafts  
 
also check where your basement walls met the plate and make sure that is insulated and weather sealed, lots of heat escapes there  
 
insulate your hot water tank and pipes as said  
 
leave the oven door open after cooking  
 
try a programmable thermostat  
 
look into hydro grants and whatnot to see if you can upgrade your home  
 
dont plug in your car or set it to a timer  
 
shut lights off and if you can switch to leds  
 
shut doors and vents to rooms you dont use often and use a space heater when you want a bit more heat in only one room  
 
thats what i can think of right now