- Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month, especially if you have pets. Dirt and hair can make your system run much less efficiently.
- Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators as needed. Make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpets, drapes, etc.
- Keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
- Select energy-efficient products when you buy new heating and cooling equipment. Your contractor should be able to give you energy fact sheets for different types, models, and designs to help you compare energy usage. For furnaces, look for high Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings. The national minimum is 78% AFUE, but there are ENERGY STAR models on the market that exceed 90% AFUE.
- Wrap your water heater in a thermal blanket. Boost your water heater’s efficiency by wrapping it in a thermal blanket. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, adding an insulating wrap to your water heater can reduce heat loss by as much as 45 percent and save as much as 10 percent on water heating costs. If unsure whether or not your water heater needs a wrap, give your tank the “touch test”. Tanks that are warm to the touch are losing too much heat and could benefit from additional insulation. Thermal blankets are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at most hardware stores.
These tips only take a little bit of time, and they’ll have a significant impact.
