REDUCE THERMOSTAT SETTING TO 68 DEGREES
Reducing your thermostat setting can substantially lower your heating costs. Putting on those extra layers will help you stay comfortable while saving on your heating bill.
SET BACK THERMOSTAT AT NIGHT AND WHEN YOU LEAVE HOME
Setting the thermostat back 10 degrees at night or when the house will be unoccupied can save up to 15% on heating costs. The furnace will have to run more to reheat the house, but the energy saved while the home is cooler more than offsets the extra run time to reheat the home.
INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT Programmable thermostats allow you to reduce your home's temperature at night and during the day and still have the home warm when you wake up or come home from work.
CHANGE FURNACE FILTER MONTHLY Clogged furnace filters lower the heater's efficiency by preventing proper airflow through the furnace. Low-cost filters are available from your local hardware store. Check filters monthly to see if they need changing.
HAVE YOUR SYSTEM TUNED-UP ANNUALLY Having your system cleaned and tuned annually helps the heating system operate safely and efficiently. Tuning may involve resetting the fuel-air mixture for proper combustion as well as cleaning of the blower and burners to assure maximum airflow and complete combustion.
CHECK AND REPLACE WEATHER STRIPPING ON WINDOWS AND DOORS
Air leaks around faulty weather stripping on doors and windows not only make your home drafty but they also increase heating costs. Check for drafts, and repair or replace worn stripping.
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CLOSE STORM WINDOWS AND DOORS
Storm windows installed over primary windows are almost as good as double-pane windows for reducing heat loss, but they only work if they are kept closed. Be sure all your storm windows are properly closed when cold weather arrives.
OPERATE KITCHEN AND BATH VENTS MINIMALLY
Bath and kitchen vents exhaust moisture, along with heated air, to the outside. If your home is dry during the winter, you may not need to operate these vents at all. However, if you have condensation on windows, operate the vents as needed to remove cooking and bathing moisture.
LOWER THE THERMOSTAT SET POINT ON YOU WATER HEATER
Keep water temperatures at about 120 degrees.
REDUCE HOT WATER USE
Reducing hot water use reduces the cost of heating water. Low-flow showerheads save water and energy. Showers generally use less water than baths. Using the cold water setting on your washing machine and repairing leaky faucets will save on water and water-heating costs.
INSTALL A WATER HEATER BLANKET
Older water heaters may not have adequate insulation. Installing an insulating water heater jacket can save energy costs. Be careful to follow manufacturers' recommendations and don't cover the thermostat
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