L.L.Bean Defies Old Man Winter
Defy Old Man Winter
L.L.Bean Offers Tips to Help You Stay Warm, Save Energy and Have Fun This Winter
Freeport, ME, November 3, 2008 – With cold weather just around the corner, memories of last year’s record snowfalls and high heating oil prices are still fresh in people’s minds. Today more than ever, consumers are looking for ways to stay warm, conserve energy and save money.
L.L.Bean offers these simple tips to help you welcome the cold weather ahead:
Insulate, insulate, insulate – Adequate insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors and crawlspaces can save up to 30% on home energy bills. Get a home energy audit to identify where your home may be losing energy. To insulate yourself, dress in layers. At L.L.Bean we have a saying, “There’s no such thing as bad weather as long as you have the right clothing.” Layering is the best approach to comfort. Layers trap insulating body heat and help keep you warm. Start with Silk Underwear for men and women. Silk makes an ideal first layer and offers warmth and comfort without added bulk.
Turn down the thermostat –Turning down the thermostat is one of the easiest ways to cut heating costs. How low should you go? That depends. Turning down your thermostat 10º-15º for eight hours when you are not home or at night while you are sleeping will save around 10% a year on your heating bills. Keep a pair of cozy slippers near the front door and put on first thing when returning home from work for instant warmth. Wicked Good Slippers are, as we say in Maine, wicked warm. They are available in a variety of sizes for men, women and kids.
Add extra bedding – Wear flannel pajamas and layer the bed to stay comfortable under the covers. “Begin with flannel sheets, add a fleece blanket and top with a lightweight, down comforter,” recommends L.L.Bean’s home expert Rose Campbell. “Keep an extra blanket handy at the foot of the bed for extra chilly nights.” L.L.Bean’s exclusive Thermal Zone Fleece Blanket features a unique thermal zone area for 25% more warmth for cold feet. And don’t forget the advantages of shared body heat, especially from your furry friends. Treat your best friend to a Wicked Good Dog Bed for when he or she is not snuggling with you.
Close the fireplace damper when not in use – Everyone loves the sound of a crackling fire, but a fireplace is one of the most inefficient heat sources you can use. Keep your fireplace damper closed when not in use. To reduce heat loss when a fire is going, open the nearest window slightly, close off doors to the room and turn down the thermostat to 55º. Help start your fires effortlessly with Fatwood. Fatwood sticks are naturally saturated with pine resin to ignite quickly and burn for a long time without chemicals or additives.
Stop drafts around doors and windows – Caulk and add weather-stripping to doors and windows. You can save 10% on your overall energy bill by making sure all exterior doors and windows are not leaking air in or out of your home. L.L.Bean's Essential Cotton Blend Turtleneck for women and All-Cotton Turtleneck for men will help keep body heat from escaping – up to 80% of body heat is lost through the head and neck.
Involve the entire family – Ask children to come up with their own ideas to help. Consider sharing the savings you realize on lower energy bills by rewarding them each time you find them actively conserving heat and electricity. The L.L.Bean Crank Flashlight, the Solar Dynamo Radio Light and the Solar Clamp Light are eco-friendly, useful at home or in the car and make a great addition to your camping kit.
Get outside and enjoy wintertime family fun – That hill in your neighborhood will soon be covered with snow. Grab the kids and your Sonic Snow Tube and have fun outdoors. Spend the day making snowmen, snow angels and snow forts or exploring your favorite trail by snowshoe. L.L.Bean makes outfitting the whole family easy with Winter Walker Snowshoes for men, women and kids. The aerobic activity will keep everyone warm. And don’t forget the thermos of hot chocolate and your Wicked Good Hand Warmers.
Make this one of the most memorable and fun winters ever with a little preparation and creativity. L.L.Bean offers equipment and clothing for the entire family to enjoy any adventure – indoors and outdoors – during the season ahead.
Energy savings estimates provided by the US Department of Energy at http://www.energy.gov and “A Consumers Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” at http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/.
