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HEATING Space heating consumes the largest amount of energy in your home. FBG helps consumers save hundreds of dollars each year in heating bills. These tips will help you lower your heating bill even further. You’ll be warm all winter thinking of the savings. Have your system tested for efficiency at least once a year. Make sure the test checks the composition and temperature of flue gas and also measures the draft and smoke emitted from the system. Try a smaller fuel nozzle in your furnace—this can save you 50 gallons of oil and over $60 on fuel bills each year. Turn down your thermostat at night. Energy-efficient winter settings are 68ŸF in the day-time and 55ŸF at night. Keep your fireplace damper closed unless you have a fire going. Otherwise, 8% of your heat can escape up the chimney. Use kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans sparingly in the winter. In just one hour these fans can blow away a houseful of warm air. Use heat reflectors between your radiator and the wall to direct heat back into the room. You can buy these or make them yourself by covering a piece of cardboard with aluminum foil. Use a room humidifier or keep shallow pans of water on the radiator. Moist air makes you feel warmer than dry air at the same temperature, so you can lower your thermostat and still feel comfortable. Have your system cleaned annually by a professional which can save 10% on your heating bills. Don’t set your thermostat too high when you turn it on—it won’t warm up faster but it can cause the thermostat to overshoot the desired temperature, wasting energy. Don’t block radiators with furniture or pull drapes in front of them—it keeps the heat from reaching you. Keep doors closed. Every time you open a door to the outside, heat escapes and cold air replaces it. Try to avoid opening exterior doors unnecessarily. When you do open an outside door, do so quickly. Dress according to the weather. The lower you keep your thermostat in the winter, the less cost you will incur and the less energy you will use. Use sweaters and blankets to keep you warm. Circulate heated air. Since warm air rises, it tends to become trapped in the highest areas of your home. A ceiling or portable fan running at a very low speed can help distribute warm air to the areas where you need it most and, therefore, reduce the desire to turn it up. Check
heat ducts for leaks. Feel accessible ducts for cracks and leaks.
Seal any you find using foil-backed tape. Ducts in unheated areas
should be insulated. |