Energy Insights: 10 Ways to Save Energy with your Heating & Furnace

The fall season is officially here, and winter will be right around the corner.  If you haven’t had to yet, eventually the cold will set in and heating your home will be inevitable.  Everyone loves a cozy and warm home in the winter, but along with heating comes the reality of the energy costs associated with it. 

Here are 10 ways to help you save money heating your home to help keep your energy costs down.

1. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you save about 2 percent on your heating bill.

2. For optimal home heating and energy-saving, set your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees while at home, and lower the heat when you go to bed or when you are not at home.

3. Adding a humidifier to your home can help you keep your thermostat at lower temperatures while still ensuring optimal comfort.

4. Don’t crank up the heat! The house will warm up at the same rate, regardless of the temperature setting; your home won’t heat up any faster by raising the temperature!

5. If you have a ceiling fan, change the direction of airflow. During the colder months, the blades should be positioned in the clockwise position, which will help push warm air from the ceiling down to the floor (and redistribute the heat)

6. Changing dirty furnace air filters can provide cost savings of up to 5 percent!

7. Do you have a fireplace? Now is a good time to check vent systems and clean chimneys.

8. Check doors for weather stripping and replace if necessary.

9. Wrap an insulating blanket around your water heater.

10. If you want the most accurate readings on your thermostat, you might want to consider installing a programmable thermostat.

For more energy-saving tips this winter visit blog.xoomenergy.com

Source: Energy.gov