- Lower the setting on your thermostat significantly overnight and when you are not home. But avoid dropping the temperature too low to keep your pipes from freezing.
- Keep the thermostat below 65 degrees when you are home. To compensate for a temperature setting that may make home occupants feel chilly, dress appropriately: Sweaters and wool socks can help keep you warm.
- Apply weatherstripping to doors and windows. If you can feel drafts at window sashes and door frames, it's time for some new weatherstripping.
- Attach a sweep to exterior doors. This will help keep out any bottom drafts and retain the heat in your home.
- Apply interior and/or exterior caulking to window frames where appropriate to fill any cracks and gaps, which let heated air escape and can spike heating bills.
- Keep windows covered to minimize drafts. Thick curtains, blankets, and plastic window film all can reduce drafts and help your home retain heat.
- Have your furnace or boiler tuned up every year. Regular maintenance prevents dirty equipment from using more fuel to run.
- Install a programmable thermostat. This way, you won't have to worry about forgetting to turn the temperature down and can walk into a warm house at the end of the day.
- Turn down the temperature on the hot water tank. Many water heaters are pre-set to 140 degrees, producing water that's very hot. But you can fulfill your hot water needs and save energy by reducing the temperature to 120 degrees.
- Run ceiling fan blades clockwise at low speed in winter. In this direction, the fans will push warm air that rises to the ceilings back down into the rooms, increasing air circulation and enhancing heating.
For more expert advise about saving on your heating bills this winter and other issues relating to heating, cooling and plumbing, please contact Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.
Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. . Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!
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