Winter Energy Saving Tips for Home Owners

Winter Tips

 

1. Turn down the thermostat: You can save 2-3%  in energy costs for every degree you lower your thermostat around the clock. Lowering the heat from 72º to 65º for eight hours per day can save you as much as 10% on annual heating costs. Try lowering the heat as everyone leaves for the day and just before going to bed. Or use a programmable thermostat; it will automatically turn the heat down and then have the house warm for you when you need it.
2. Drafty windows?
   If you have functional windows, it makes more financial sense to improve them than to replace them with energy-efficient windows. Caulk any gaps and cracks around window frames. Be sure that windows are fully shut. Put up interior window plastic, available in kits at hardware stores. If you don't have storm windows, have them made. Also, for drafty doors, use weather-stripping and door sweeps.
3. Keep your furnace or boiler in shape.
   Oil-fired systems need annual maintenance. Gas systems and heat pumps typically need a checkup every two years. Spending a little on a new filter will go a long way toward maintaining the efficiency of your furnace and decreasing your energy bills.Close dampers when you're not using the fireplace.
4. An open fireplace damper pulls warm air (air you've paid to heat) from the house, even when there is no fire. Close dampers after ashes have gone cold.
5. Let the heat reach you.
   Dust or vacuum radiators, baseboard heaters, and furnace duct openings often and keep them free of obstructions like furniture, carpets, and drapes.
6. Keep the cold out and warmth in.
   A typical house has many places where air can move between living spaces and the attic, and between the basement and outdoors. The result is colder rooms and higher heating bills. The solution is to seal gaps and then put in sufficient, well-installed insulation. The most effective, energy-saving solution is to have: A well-sealed and insulated home!
   Tips:
   

   • Air Sealing

   Sealing and insulating the "envelope" or "shell" of your home, meaning, its outer walls, ceilings, windows, doors, and floors, is often the most cost-effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort in your home.
   

   • Adding Insulation

   Insulation keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There are several common types of insulation: fiberglass (in both batt and blown forms), cellulose, rigid foam board, and spray foam.
   When correctly installed with air sealing, each type of insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills during the hottest and coldest times of the year. Many Virginia homes have the potential to reduce air leakage by 30% or more.
   
7. Save electricity.
   Replace your incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR^® compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use up to 75% less energy. Also, be aware that many kinds of home electronics and office equipment use power even when off. You can control this ongoing energy waste by plugging devices into a power strip and just turning it off when you're not using the equipment. Or ask at your hardware store about a new, advanced power strip that automatically shuts off power to any idle equipment you want.
8. Look for the ENERGY STAR label.
   Whether you're planning to purchase a new heating system, appliances, or home electronics, look for the ENERGY STAR label to find the most energy-efficient models on the market.
   
   Back to Xpromac LLC