Make a big difference in your energy savings during the fall and winter months by using these tips:
- Install a programmable thermostat and be sure to set temperatures lower at night when asleep and during the day when you are not at home. By automatically lowering the temperature inside your house by 5 to 10 degrees during these periods, you can cut your heating bills by up to 20% a year.* Even lowering it just one degree can help!
- Schedule regular maintenance check-ups and clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed.
- Insulate walls and heating ducts in attics and crawlspaces and keep them in good repair to prevent heat loss of up to 60% at registers.
- Upgrade your heating equipment to systems that are ENERGYSTAR® rated.
- Turn off kitchen, bath or other fans within 20 minutes of cooking or bathing to retain heated air.
- Open draperies and blinds of the windows in direct sunlight to naturally heat your home during the day and keep them closed at night to keep heat in.
- Install weather stripping or caulking around the windows, doors, and thresholds to seal air leaks.
- Consider adding insulated window treatments.
- Install ceiling fans to help circulate warm air.
- Repair leaky faucets promptly.
- Install aerating, low faucets and showerheads.
- Take more showers than baths.
- Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
- Turn lights off when leaving the room.
- Use compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) rather than incandescent light bulbs in common areas.
- Set refrigerator temperature to 37-40 degrees.
- Install low cost fireplace modifications (such as a flue-top damper, fireplace grate or glass doors.
*Source: MSNBC