Other Ways to Save

Saving Through Efficiency – Making the Most of Your Energy Dollars

Your Thermostat — Saving Money by Degrees Smart thermostats are a great option for anyone with a traditional heating system, but you can save a lot of money (especially in an expensive season like this one) with your old-school thermostat, too. According to the U.S. Department of Energy and other independent research, you can save 1-3% of your total heating bill for each degree you turn your thermostat down. With prices soaring this year, the average homeowner in New York State could save hundreds of dollars by cutting the heat from, for example, 73 to 69 degrees. If you choose to make a change, do not crank it down all at once. Try a one-degree reduction every couple of days until you find a temperature that balances your comfort and your budget. The same is true in reverse when it comes to the air conditioner and your summer electricity bill. Sealing Leaky Ducts For homes with forced air heating, your ductwork is responsible for carrying warm air from the furnace to every corner of your home. If your ducts have improper or loose connections, leaks, or holes, it can really cost you. In many cases, up to 30% of heated or cooled air is lost before it reaches the rooms it is headed for. Stop the hot air from escaping your duct system (and the money from escaping your wallet) by making sure that ductwork is properly sealed. Making Use of Zoned Heating and Cooling Multi-zone heating is one of the biggest cost savers available. In fact, studies have shown that homes with properly regulated heating zones use 30% less fuel than comparable single-zone homes. These systems allow you to heat or cool only the parts of the house that you are using. You can also set your preferences to automatically move the temperature with you throughout the day and night. Making the Most of Your Fans When temperatures are mild, fans are the way to go. A little breeze can go a long way to make your home more comfortable – and ceiling, floor, and window fans are generally very efficient, using little electricity even if they are on all day. Ceiling fans can be especially helpful, even in winter. Many people have never touched (or even noticed) the little up and down switches on their ceiling fans. Those tiny switches, which control the direction of the fan blades, can have a big impact on heating and cooling bills. In cold weather, the blades should turn clockwise, forcing warm air that wants to rise down and around the room. In warmer months, the blades should be spinning counter-clockwise, creating a steady breeze to help keep the room cool. In the summer, you can reduce cooling costs and increase comfort by using your fans and air conditioning together. Ceiling fans or floor fans (but not window fans) help create a wind chill effect, letting you achieve the same level of comfort while setting the AC thermostat a little higher. Avoiding Summer Heat Gain Almost 50% of summer heat gain is from your windows. In fact, covering windows during the hottest parts of the day can reduce your air conditioner’s workload by 25% – saving you hundreds of dollars. Another great way to reduce heat gain is to avoid heat and moisture generating chores during the hottest part of the day. Things like laundry, dishwashing by hand or machine, and cooking, can increase the temperature in your house and the cost of your electric bill. Boosting Your Heating and Cooling with a Heat Pump Many homes have spaces that are hard or even impossible for traditional HVAC systems to reach. If that is the case, a mini-split heat pump can be an efficient, effective, and affordable option. They can keep you warm in winter, cool in summer, and in some cases even replace your existing heating system. Best of all, they use no fossil fuels – which is great for the planet and your wallet! Find out more about this affordable state-of-the-art energy solution by visiting the NYS Clean Heat website. Need help finding an installer? If you live on Long Island, the Fuel Buyers Group can connect you with a vetted home services company that will give you exclusive member credits for installation and service. Tune-Up and Cleaning The best way to keep your heating system in efficient and safe working order is to be sure to have your heating system tuned and cleaned annually. Many energy suppliers offer a free annual check, or cover one with a service contract. The benefits of getting an annual tune-up and cleaning include:

• Efficiency: Keeping your system free of dust and grime ensures that your furnace runs as efficiently as possible – saving you a lot of money.
• Consistency: If your furnace is clean and operating efficiently, you will not need to worry about losing heat when you need it most.
• Prevention: Catching any problems now will avoid costly emergency repair calls in the winter.

And do not forget the AC! An air conditioner that is running at peak efficiency can make a big difference on your electricity bills, which have been nearly as bad for many consumers as heating bills. Easy maintenance such as routinely replacing or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15%. In many parts of the state, the Fuel Buyers Group can refer you to a trusted and vetted NYPIRG energy partner that can handle all of your AC installation and service needs. Let us know where you live and what your AC needs are, and we can discuss what is available in your area. The HEAP Clean and Tune Benefit can help pay for your annual checkup. Every year, the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides New Yorkers – including many of our members – with much needed money to help pay for energy deliveries. But did you know that they also provide money to keep your furnace in good shape? The HEAP Clean and Tune benefit offers eligible homeowners energy efficiency services such as cleaning of primary heating equipment, chimney cleaning, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, and even minor repairs. The benefit maxes out at $400 per household and is based on the actual cost of the work that is needed and performed.