Seasonal Advice for Fall/Winter Stay warm and save energy at the same time!
Follow these tips to use energy more efficiently and better control your heating costs.

Tune up for efficiency

• Maintaining an efficient heating system is an important step to conserving energy. Have your heating system serviced once every two years, and never try to repair it yourself.
• Have your chimney flue, space heaters, water heater and fireplace checked.
• If your heating system has a filter, clean or replace it every month during the heating season.
• Your furnace or boiler needs air to work properly (and efficiently). Don't close it off with walls, debris or other obstructions.

Turn down for savings

• For every 1°F you set your thermostat back, you can save one to three percent on your annual heating costs.
• Turn down the thermostat every time you leave the house for two or more hours, and every night before you go to bed. It takes less energy to warm up a cool house than to maintain a warm temperature all day and night.
• Installing an automatic setback thermostat is an inexpensive, easy way to maintain comfort and cut heating costs. You can program it to turn the heating system up and down at pre-set times.

Insulate

• Insulate your attic, walls, ceilings and floors to prevent heat escaping to the outdoors. Insulation improves your comfort as well as the efficiency of your home - and that means more savings for you.
• Apply the same principle to your personal comfort. Wear several layers of clothing to keep yourself warmer while keeping the thermostat down.
• Take advantage of the sun: open drapes during the day to capture warmth and close them at night to prevent heat loss through windows.

Seal air leaks

• Cold air let in by air leaks can increase your energy use, so seal all holes and cracks where cold air can get in.
• It's especially important to caulk windows and weatherstrip around door frames. Also, replace any broken panes on storm doors and windows.
• Other air-sealing tips including shutting off heat to unused rooms and closing the fireplace damper.
• Remove window air conditioning units during the cold months to reduce drafts. If this isn't possible, cover the inside and outside of the unit with plastic.
• You can also move furniture to warmer spots in the room to avoid cold drafts and stay more comfortable.

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