Heating can account for a significant portion of a home’s winter energy use. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, heating a home can account for almost half of energy consumption. But fortunately for your budget, small, but practical, changes can make a noticeable difference in both comfort and efficiency. Here are a few tips to help reduce your heating costs without sacrificing warmth.
- Lower your thermostat slightly: Even reducing your thermostat by just one or two degrees can lead to energy savings over time.
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat: With a programmable or smart thermostat, you can schedule the heat to kick on and off when you’re not home or asleep. They even have vacation mode to help you avoid unnecessary heating.
- Seal drafts around doors and windows: A little bit of weatherstripping and caulk can go a long way to sealing your home and prevent warm air from escaping.
- Change furnace filters regularly: A clean filter improves airflow and helps your heating system run more efficiently. Be sure to replace them monthly, or quarterly. If you’re unsure how to do this, talk to your HVAC professional.
- Reverse ceiling fans: Many don’t realize this, but ceiling fans can rotate clockwise and counterclockwise. In the winter, make sure yours is running clockwise. At low speeds, it will push warm air back down into living spaces.
- Close fireplace dampers when not in use: If you have a fireplace, make sure that the damper is closed when not in use. An open damper allows warm air to escape up the chimney.
- Let sunlight in during the day: Open south-facing blinds to take advantage of natural heat. At night, remember to close them again.
- Keep vents and registers clear: Restricted airflow can make a difference in heating a room. Blocked vents reduce airflow and force heating systems to work harder.
- Schedule a heating system tune-up: Just because winter is here, that doesn’t mean it’s too late to get your heating system tuned up. Help your system operate efficiently and can catch small issues early by scheduling a maintenance visit.
- Clean and inspect ductwork: Leaky or dirty ducts can lose heated air before it ever reaches your room.
Find more ways to save. Check out Elizabethtown Gas’ Energy Efficiency Programs for even more fun ideas, rebates, and more ways to keep your home energy efficient.
