The following tips will save money and energy while staying comfortable during the cool fall and cold winter months.
(KANSAS CITY, Kan.) —Many of these tips can be used on a daily basis to increase your savings; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the winter.
Take Advantage of Heat from the Sun
- Open curtains on the south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the home, and close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
Cover Drafty Windows
- Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of window frames during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration.
- Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel
drafty after weatherizing.
Adjust the Temperature
- When you are home and awake, set the thermostat as low as is comfortable.
- When you are asleep or out of the house, turn the thermostat back to save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills.
- A smart or programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature. But make sure the temperature is comfortable for pets!
- If you have a heat pump, maintain a moderate setting or use a programmable thermostat specially designed for use with heat pumps.
Find and Seal Leaks
- Seal air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes ("plumbing penetrations"), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
- Add caulk or weather-stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
Maintain Your Heating Systems
- Schedule routine service for home heating systems.
- Replace furnace and heat pump filters once a month or as needed.
Lower Water Heating Costs
- Keep the temperature of the water heater to the warm setting (120°F). This will not only save energy, it will also help avoid scalding.