- Change Furnace Filters – Yes it’s easy to forget, but it’s important to replace or clean furnace filters once a month during the heating season. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand. Here’s a worry-saving tip: Mark a monthly check on your calendar.
- Dodge the Draft(s) – According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5 to 30 percent of your energy use. Start simple and adopt that old Great Depression fixture—the draft snake, which you can easily make yourself.
- Mind That Thermostat – For every degree you lower the thermostat during heating season, you’ll save between 1 and 3 percent of your heating bill. Make it easier with a programmable thermostat. They are widely available for as little as $50, and the average family will save $180 a year with one.
- Use Caulking and Weatherstripping – Simple leaks can sap home energy efficiency by 5 to 30 percent a year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That means it pays to seal up gaps with caulking and weather stripping.
- Insulate your pipies – Pay less for hot water by insulating pipes. That can also help decrease the chance of pipes freezing, which can be disastrous. Check to see if your pipes are warm to the touch. If so, they are good candidates for insulation. (Use the same method to determine if your hot water heater would benefit from some insulation.)
