It’s cold outside! Stay warm and save money with these cold weather energy conservation tips.
Get a heating system tune-up before the heating season begins to keep it running at peak efficiency. It will decrease the chances of a winter breakdown, help keep your energy costs down, and extend the lifespan of your system.
Equipment carrying the ENERGY STAR® mark generally uses 20–30% less energy than required by federal standards. An ENERGY STAR® qualified furnace, when properly sized and installed, along with sealed ducts and a programmable thermostat, can save up to 20 percent on heating bills.
When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours to save up to 10% or more on your heating bills. Better yet—install a Wi-Fi-enabled smart or programmable thermostat and save about $100 each year; it adjusts the temperature automatically for you.
Remember to clean or change your furnace filter regularly during the winter (about every 4-6 weeks). It will not only help keep energy costs down and keep your furnace running cleaner, but will also extend its operating life. If you need help locating the filter, ask our tech to show you where it is during your system’s annual tune-up.
Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. Also, east-facing windows get sunlight in the morning, and west-facing windows receive sunlight in the afternoon, giving you additional hours to take advantage of natural heat.
