Spend under $50 for a sleeping bag and save $100’s on your winter heating bill

Why are Sleeping Bags such a hot item to going green? Why not? Buying a great Sleeping Bag is not only smart but useful. You can use it in

Mummy Sleeping Bag

the winter months in your house so you can turn your heaters and electric blankets off. Why pay your electric company when you can pocket the savings? Sleeping bags are an essential necessity if for some unknown reason there happens to be an unplanned disaster such as flood, earthquake, hurricane and your sleeping bag should be close by and accessible to your emergencies supplies.

So how do you pick the right Sleeping Bag for you? Did you know there are generally 2 different styles of sleeping bags available in the market? When choosing the right Sleeping Bag style for you keep in mind there are several variables you need to weigh in on also such as:

• Temperature Rating - Do you need a subzero Sleeping Bag if you live in California?
• Type of Construction - Are you camping outside a lot in different types of weather?
• Insulation Material - What are the best materials for conducting heat or repelling water or moisture? Down fill is a lightweight good choice…
• Shape of the Sleeping Bag - How important is the shape of the sleeping bag? It’s important if you are sleeping alone but not as necessary if you are sleeping with someone.
• Bulk or size of the Sleeping Bag - Is a bigger or bulkier bag better? Not when it comes to heat loss……
• The weight of the Sleeping Bag - Sleeping Bags are meant to be portable so yes weight is important.

Traditional Rectangular Sleeping Bags
This is the most common type of sleeping bag generally used by casual campers or children for sleep overs. typically this style bag is made out of cotton and an inexpensive synthetic fiber.

A major benefit of the rectangular Sleeping Bags is two people can sleep together if you zip two bags together.

Mummy Sleeping Bagss
Mummy Sleeping Bagss are the most heat efficient sleeping bags on the market. They offer optimum reduction of weight and bulk. Two major benefits of a mummy Sleeping Bags are insulated hoods and a shorter zipper area that is well made with baffle along the inside length. Did you know 80% of your heat loss is through the zipper and the head opening?

If reducing your carbon foot print by not leaving your heater or electric blanket on at night is your goal and you decide you need a sleeping bag anyway, it probably makes sense to pick a mummy Sleeping Bag. Surprisingly enough most sleeping bags rectangular or mummy style can be purchased for under $50.

Heat loss isn’t just your house’s fault…..3 tips you can implement today!

Tip #1 - Did you know 50% of your personal heat loss is lost through your head? If you want to save money on your heating bill in the coldest months, wear a beanie while you are in the house! Seriously, you will notice that you can keep the house cooler during the day and not even feel the difference if you insulate your body better.

Tip #2 - Do you walk around the house in bare feet? No wonder you are cold! Put on some heavy socks or slippers You’ll be amazed at how much warmer you’ll be. Common sense dictates that you wouldn’t go outside on a winter day in your bare feet or without something to keep your ears and neck warm.

Tip #3 - Are you one of people that begrudging shut off your heater at night because you don’t want to listen to it going on and off all night? Instead of counting sheep you are watching dollars flying out the window? Before you turn on your electric blanket might I make an interesting suggestion? Do you have a good quality sleeping bag that you use for camping? Why not temporarily use your sleeping bag? You’ll stay nice and toasty and you’ll pocket a decent chunk of change when you’re not turning on the heater in the winter months.

Yes, this blogger is from California and is kind of spoiled because the pipes at our house never freeze and as far as I know the temperature in the Bay Area has never reach 20F. But I also don’t want to just hand my hard earned money over to P G & E. Plus I am working really hard to reduce my carbon footprint. I know I’ll never be as good as Colin Beaven who wrote No Impact Man, but I have to try and if it means wearing a beanie in the house, I can do that….