As we enter the heating season and rising fuel costs, we are all looking for ways to save money. Here are some tips on how you can conserve energy to save money around your home.
Heating Tips:
- Experts suggest setting your thermostat back 10°F for a minimum of 10 hours to realize an energy savings. You may wish to purchase a programmable thermostat to automate this process. They are inexpensive, reliable and easy to install.
- At the start of the heating season, vacuum your baseboard heaters and vents as well as making sure furniture and draperies are not obstructing air flow.
- Clean or change furnace filters in forced hot air systems once a month or more often as needed.
- Have your heating system maintained and serviced at the beginning of the heating season. Dirty systems reduce the overall operational efficiency.
- If you update your heating system to a newer, more efficient model, you may be eligible for an additional discount on your homeowners insurance. In fact this year, you may even qualify for a Federal tax credit!
- Insulate your older hot water tank with an insulating jacket. Newer tanks already are insulated, so check product literature to determine if insulation is needed.
- Insulate the first six feet of the hot water pipes connected to the water heater.
Windows & Doors Tips:
- Install caulking, weather stripping or use spray-in foams around exterior windows and doors.
- When replacing windows, use Low-e glazing and Argon insulated glass
- During the heating season, keep draperies and shades open during the day on your southern facing walls to allow sunlight to enter. Keep them closed at night to reduce heat loss.
Other Cold Weather Tips:
- Be aware that anything that exhausts air out of your house (your dryer, your bathroom vents, etc.) also causes cooler outside air to be pulled into your house while they are in operation. Minimizing usage will reduce energy costs.
- Don’t turn your heat all the way off if you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time; Doing so can result in your pipes freezing and breaking. A frozen pipe situation could occur in less than 48 hours depending on the outside temperatures.
Note: If you live in Maine and you need fuel assistance please go to the Maine State Housing Authority LIHEAP contact page.
