#tipsEnergy: Saving on Home Heating Costs
A feature on the Energy Department's Twitter account, #tipsEnergy highlights ways to save energy and money at home. Once a month, we ask you to share your energy-saving tips so the larger energy community can learn from you, and we feature some of the best tips in a Storify.
Storified by Energy Department ·
Fri, Nov 23 2012 20:37:07
As we head into December, the cold weather
season is officially upon us, and nowhere is that more evident than on your
utility bills. Home heating and cooling uses more energy than any other system
in your home, accounting for about 54
percent of your utility bills. No matter the type of heating system in your
house, you can save money and stay comfortable all winter long with a few
simple actions and proper heating system maintenance.
This month, we asked our online community to share their
tips for saving energy on home heating costs.
It's time for another #tipsEnergy. This month's theme: tips to save #energy on heating. Share your ideas & we'll highlight our favorites.
While your home's duct system ensures that air is carried
from your furnace throughout the house, it can also contribute to higher energy
bills if not properly sealed or insulated. Many of the repairs you can do
yourself. Check out our tips for sealing
your air ducts.
Duct systems aren't the only place in your home where warm
air can escape, as some Twitter followers point out.
@ENERGY Don’t share your heat with your yard. Seal and weatherstrip leaks in your home to save energy and money. #tipsEnergy #HSBHomeWorks
Remove your window AC (no need for it now!) & seal window. You'll save #energy & no more freezing drafts! #tipsEnergy
Proper
furnace maintenance cannot only save you money on your energy
bills, it can also prevent costly repairs. One of the easiest things you can do
is to check and clean your heating system filters regularly to maintain your
system's airflow.
@Energy Check the air filter on heating systems every month during heating season. Replace every 3 months or when dirty. #tipsenergy
Save energy this winter without sacrificing comfort by a installing
a programmable thermostat. By allowing you to "set it and forget
it," a programmable thermostat allows you to set temperatures based on the
times you are normally home and your habits. Turning your thermostat back
10-15 degrees for 8 hours, can save you 5-15 percent a year on your heating
bill.
@ENERGY Install a programmable thermostat in home to only run the furnace when needed. #tipsEnergy
@ENERGY Turning the thermostat lower when you are not home can help you save money! #tipsEnergy
@ENERGY sleep in a cool home and use a programmable thermostat to turn the heat up only when you plan to start your day. #tipsEnergy
Many of Twitter users' tips -- including our own -- focused
on the no-cost ways to save on heating costs.
Our home heating #tipsEnergy: move furniture away from heating registers to prevent blocks in airflow & save #energy http://go.usa.gov/YSE3.
@ENERGY You can tolerate lower indoor air temperatures if you raise the humidity. Do not ventilate bathrooms after a shower #tipsEnergy
@ENERGY #tipsEnergy to save #energy keep as many rooms as possible as cold as possible by electric heat zoning in only the room you are in
@ENERGY #tipsEnergy Keep thermostat low, wear a hat and slippers.
#tipsEnergy Use down comforters instead of electric blankets to save money.
To save #energy & money on heating, set fans to blow toward the ceiling to distribute heat evenly! @ENERGY #tipsEnergy
For more ways to save energy and money, check out Energy
Saver’s tips on
home heating and cooling.
