Save Some Green on Energy Bills This Winter

How can you save on heating costs this winter?

Some answers to that question are simple:

Turn down the thermostat a few degrees from your usual setting and dress in layers. Keep your feet warm and have plenty of blankets nearby.

Most people like to pull up the covers at night when it’s cold outside. Use flannel sheets and a thick comforter so you can turn down your thermostat while you sleep.

It also helps to use insulated or lined curtains to keep cold air out; not only in your bedroom but throughout your home.

Other energy-saving tips include:

• Get your heating system regularly maintained by an HVAC professional so that it is working at peak efficiency. Keep your furnace clean and change the filter monthly.
• Vacuum or clean vents regularly.
• Keep fireplace dampers closed when not in use. If you do not use your fireplace, plug and seal the flue.
• Do not heat an empty home. A programmable or smart thermostat can help this become automatic. According to the Department of Energy, lowering the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day can reduce energy costs by up to 10%.
• Sealing uncontrolled air leaks. Use weather stripping around doors and windows as needed. Check attics, attic access, outlets, walls and chimneys, as well as pipes entering or exiting your home for common sources of air leaks.
• Let the sun shine in during the day to use Mother Nature’s warmth. Close window coverings after dusk, however, to reduce heat loss.
• Set ceiling fans to run clockwise to push down and redistribute warm air that naturally rises.
• Consider turning down your water heater to 120 or 125 F. Also install a water heater blanket to help insulate it to give it a step up in warming your water.
• Consider updating your furnace or HVAC system with an energy efficient model by looking for the Energy Star designation when it comes time to replace it.
• Decrease use of built-in ventilation fans in your kitchen and bathrooms. In the colder months, they transfer heat from inside your home to the backyard. Use the fans only when needed and turn them off as soon as you can.
• Bring in moisture with a humidifier or research other ways to do that (e.g., well-watered plants, containers of water throughout the home). Dry air makes the air feel colder, and more moisture in the air helps indoor air retain heat.

Contact us for more information about energy audits or energy efficiency. For more information about electrical safety, visit SafeElectricity.org.