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Limit the loss of expensive heated air to the
outside. Use fans sparingly. In just one hour, these fans can
blow away a house full of warm air.
-
Keep fireplace dampers tightly closed until you
prepare to light a fire. An open damper in a 48-inch square
fireplace can let as much as 8% of our heat escape out the
chimney.
-
Lower your thermostat to about 65 degrees F
during the day and 60 degrees F at night. For each degree you
turn down your thermostat, you'll save 3% on heating bills.
-
When using the fireplace, open dampers in the
bottom of the firebox if provided, or open the closet window
about 1 inch and close the doors leading into the room. This
allows more air for the fire without reducing heat loss.
-
Make a draft detector by clipping a piece of
tissue paper to a coat hanger. Hold the coat hanger in front of
a suspected crack; any movement indicates a leak in need of
caulking or weather stripping.
-
Avoid heating unused areas by closing off
unoccupied rooms and shutting off heat vents. (Does not apply if
you have a heat pump)
-
Learn about R values before you buy your
insulation materials. These numbers indicate resistance of an
insulation material to winter heat loss or summer heat gain.
-
Consider installing storm windows and doors.
Storm windows can be both energy efficient and convenient. Good
windows can result in cost savings of as much as 15% a year.
-
Consider the advantages of a clock thermostat for
your heating system. The clock thermostat will turn the heat
down automatically at a regular hour before you retire and turn
it up again before you wake.
-
Close windows and doors during hot days and open
them at night.
-
Close drapes and shades during hot days.
-
Reduce use of oven, incandescent lights and
appliances that generate heat.
-
To stay cool, use ceiling fans to cool individual
rooms.
-
To stay cool, consider installing a whole house
fan in the attic.
-
Get a timer for air conditioners so they can be
off all day and turned on before you get home.
-
Time for a new color? Use light colors when
painting the house and trim.
-
Stay cool by planting shade trees on the sunny
side of the house.
