Ways to Save on your Heating Bills


1) Check your thermostat. If it isn't a programmable electronic one, replace it with one that is. A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust room temperature settings to energy-saving levels when you're sleeping or away from the house, eliminating wasteful energy usage.

Never set your thermostat higher than it needs to be for comfort. Over a 24-hour period, you can save about 3 percent of your energy costs for every degree you lower the thermostat's set temperature in the winter.

2) Seal up your house. If you haven't already done so, install weather stripping around windows and doors. Caulk any cracks or openings in the siding. And consider installing or repairing storm windows and storm doors.

3) Take advantage of the sun's warmth. Allow radiant energy from sunlight to augment your home's heating system simply by opening drapes and blinds on sunny days.

4) If you can do so relatively inexpensively, consider installing ceiling fans, particularly in rooms with high ceilings. Because warm air rises and can be trapped at the ceiling, a ceiling fan, when run in reverse direction during the winter, will circulate warm air back down to living areas.

5) Be sure your home is adequately insulated. If it isn't, increase insulation, particularly in the attic. Not only is the attic usually the easiest place to insulate, but it's where you will see the greatest benefit in energy savings.

6) Consider replacing your furnace if it's on its last legs. Forced-air heating systems are by far the most popular type of central heating, but most forced-air systems are sadly out-of-date. Some utilize only 50 percent of the fuel they burn. Newer models take advantage of up to 90 percent of their fuel.

For more energy saving tips visit the US Department of Energy.

www.eere.energy.gov