Do steep energy bills send chills down your spine? Well, it’s time to warm up to the benefits of home heating efficiency. Small, inexpensive actions can put dollars back into your pocket.
To save money on heating, use these tips from the U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR, a program that is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
- Have your heating system serviced by a trained technician to make sure it is operating properly. An unsafe heater can cause a fire disaster, which can result in property loss and personal injury.
- Set your thermostat properly or invest in a programmable one. Set the thermostat back when you are not home or asleep. This simple step could save you about $180 a year.
- Keep the air filter clean. Change the filter once a month during winter months. A dirty or blocked filter lowers the efficiency of your heater and drives up the cost of heating your home.
- Be sure the air flows freely. Make sure supply and return vents, radiators, and baseboard heating units are not obstructed by furniture, appliances, or other objects.
- Limit the use of kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans. These fans are vented to the outside and will also carry heated air out of your home.
- Install insulated drapes or shades on windows to prevent drafts. Open the drapes or shades during the day to let warm sunlight in and close them at night or on cloudy days to keep cold out.
- Seal air leaks around pipes, doors, windows, chimneys, and electrical outlets with caulk or weather stripping. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5% to 30% of your energy use due to air leaks.
- Switch the direction of your ceiling fan blades so that warm air that has risen will be pushed down in your home. Reversing your fans can reduce your energy costs by 10 percent.
Keep Rainbow Restoration’s number with your other emergency contacts, and call in one of their professionals in the unfortunate event your home suffers fire damage caused by home heating or any other catastrophe.
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Prepare and Practice a Fire Escape Plan
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Spark of Disaster: How to Prevent Electrical Fires
Sources:
http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/fall-and-winter-energy-saving-tips
