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 where you would normally keep it, 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.

Another way to make sure your home is as energy efficient as possible is to get an energy audit before the cold weather hits. The changes you make based on the audit could help you save on energy costs this winter.

Other energy-saving tips

• 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 on a regular basis.
• Keep fireplace dampers closed when not in use. If you do not use your fireplace, plug and seal the flume.
• Do not heat an empty home. A programmable or smart thermostat can make this 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 percent. 
• Seal uncontrolled air leaks. Use weatherstripping 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 sunshine 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 degrees. Also install a water heater blanket to help insulate it, which will give it a headstart in warming your water.
• Consider updating your furnace or HVAC system to 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 the moisture with a humidifier or research other ways to do that (e.g., well-watered plants and/or containers of water throughout the home). Dry air makes the air feel colder, and increasing moisture in the air causes indoor air to retain more heat.

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