How to Save on Home Heating Energy in the Winter
The increasing cost of energy and the desire to use less of it often motivate homeowners to look for ways to save home heating energy in the winter. With a couple of simple changes, a few home projects and some energy-saving everyday habits, you can use significantly less energy during the winter and save money in the process. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Lower your thermostat during the day when you're home. If the thermostat is set between 60 and 70 degrees, you'll save up to 5 percent of energy for every degree you lower the temperature. Wear a sweatshirt or sweater while in the house to help keep warm.
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Lower your thermostat to 55 degrees or turn it off at night and while you're away from your home. However, if you have a heat pump, only lower it by 2 degrees because the auxiliary heat may kick on when you turn the thermostat back up.
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Change or clean your heating filters every month. Dirty air filters hinder air movement and raise heating costs.
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Service your furnace every fall. Having a furnace technician check, adjust and lubricate the furnace can save you up to 5 percent of your heating energy.
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Close the damper in your fireplace when it's not in use. Close your curtains on cloudy, windy and cold days to retain heat inside.
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Seal any windows and doors where air is leaking inside. Hold up a ribbon near the edges of your windows and doors. If it flutters, there is a leak where air is getting in and heat is getting out. Seal gaps with caulk, apply weatherstripping or cover windows with plastic sheeting made for this purpose.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't lower the thermostat too far during periods of freezing weather, to avoid frozen and burst pipes. Consider turning off the water to the house if you go on vacation during the winter.
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