KEEPING HEATING AND COOLING COSTS DOWN - PART II

Fireplaces can waste a lot of energy, as they pull warm air out of the house through the chimney. Make sure the damper is closed when you’re not using your fireplace. Installing glass doors can also help keep heat in your home when the fireplace is not in use.

Do not lose heated air through exhaust fans. Use them sparingly and turn them off when not in use during colder weather as they pull heated air out of your house.

Exhaust fans can also cause negative pressure inside your home that can lead to back drafts from your fireplace and can cause drafts through the walls, windows and un-insulated outlets in your home.

The best defense against heating problems is to make sure your system is maintained year-round. Having heating equipment serviced by a reputable company at least once a year could reduce your heating bill and prevent costly repairs and replacements in the future.

One of the best home heating tips is to get regular HVAC inspections. Be sure your professional heating tune-up includes: Inspection of the overall safety of gas systems; thermostat calibration; inspection and cleaning of the air handler/blower; filter inspection and cleaning; inspection of wiring and connections; identification of hot and cold spots in the home; and gauging electrical systems for proper amp draw.

KEEPING HEATING AND COOLING COSTS DOWN - PART I

 

 

One of the easiest heating tips: On sunny days, take advantage of the sun to bring in heat. Adjust blinds so they are open and tilted toward the ceiling, but be sure to close the blinds at sundown.

Set your ceiling fan in the reverse position, on low. When radiant heat enters your home from the windows aimed upward, the fan will help circulate warm air all around the room.

Wetness Equals Warmth: Homes become dried-out in the wintertime. During cold weather, increased use of your heater causes the home and its interior air to become dryer than usual. A humidifier can help add needed moisture to your home during the wintertime.

 

Humidifiers can also improve health issues like dry sinuses, while saving energy. Since moist air holds heat, you may feel more comfortable and lower your normal heat setting due to the increased comfort.

 

Make sure to maintain your humidifier properly. Whether it is a portable or whole-house humidifier, consult the manufacturers instructions for care. However, in general, clean or replace the filters regularly and wash the base and reservoir.

Winter Heating Tips: Part III

Everyday Tips to To Save Energy

These no-cost or low-cost tips are easy ways to save energy and money all year round.

Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights.

Air-dry dishes instead of using your dishwashers drying cycle.

Use a microwave oven instead of a conventional electric range or oven.

Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.

Plug home electronics, such as TVs and VCRs, into power strips and turn power strips off when equipment is not in use.

Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater; 115 Degrees is comfortable for most uses.

Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

Winter Heating Tips: Part II

Weatherize: air leaks waste energy dollars year-round

         Caulking and weather stripping keeps warm air in during the winter.

     Add insulation around heat ducts when they are located in unconditioned spaces such as attics, crawl spaces, and garages.

        If you see holes or separated joints in your ducts, hire a professional to repair them.

         Check to see that your fireplace damper is tightly closed, when it is not in use.

          During the heating season, keep draperies and shades on south-facing windows open during the day to allow sunlight to enter your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.

For Long Term Savings:

           If your furnace is old, the new energy efficient models can help you save on heating bills. Your contractor should be able to give you energy fact sheets for different types, models, and designs to help you compare energy usage.

         Adding insulation and sealing air leaks help your energy performance in the wintertime by keeping the warm air inside.

Winter Heating Tips: Part I

Many of the tips below for saving energy at home are adapted from the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Savers Consumer Tips website and their Energy Savers booklet . (For a Spanish language version of the Energy Savers page and booklet, visit Ahorro de Energia: Energy Savers in Espanol.)

Use Furnaces and Heaters Wisely

          Set your thermostat as low as it is comfortable. Each degree you lower your thermostat can cut your heating costs between one and three percent. A common strategy is to lower thermostat settings to 68 degrees. The lower you set it, the more you'll save.

     Turn your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees during your sleeping hours or while you’re away, to save even more on your heating bill.

        Use a programmable thermostat with your furnace to adjust the setting while you sleep or no one is home.

        Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month, or as needed.

     Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.

               Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.

         Bleed trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season. If in doubt about how to perform this task, call a professional.