Welcome to our new series on how to save Energy
Part #1: Home Heating
Heating your home is the largest user of energy and offers the greatest opportunity to save energy. About 30 percent of your total home energy budget goes for heating.
- Have your heating system tuned and inspected by a service professional before each heating season. Heat losses from a poorly maintained system add up over time, sometimes at a rate of 1 percent to 2 percent a year
- Clean or replace the furnace filter often during the heating season. Furnaces use less energy if they “breathe” more easily. Follow instructions in the furnace manufacturer’s manual
- Keep furniture, carpeting and curtains from blocking heat registers and air return ducts
- If radiators are located near cold outside walls, place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room
- Don’t overheat your home and overwork your furnace. Use supplemental heating equipment for hard-to-heat areas
- When replacing your furnace, look for one that’s at least 90 percent efficient
- While sleeping, add an extra blanket for warmth • Close your attic, basement, garage and exterior doors to prevent cold drafts and keep in heat
- Ceiling fans set at slow speed push warm air away from the ceiling and move it around the room without creating a chilling breeze. This spreads the heat more evenly and will make you feel more comfortable