With the coolest months approaching, now is the best time to winterize your home and ensure it is working it's most energy-efficient. By taking just a few steps to keep the warm air in and cold air out, you’ll be able to keep your energy bills lower and enjoy a cozy house all season long.
- Take control of heating. During cooler months, turning down your thermostat only one degree can lower your heating bill by three percent! You can also reduce the amount of heat needed by using the sunlight to your advantage. Open the shades and blinds on sunny days as a way to light and heat the interior of your home.
- Seal air leaks. Homeowners who properly seal and insulate their homes can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs. Seal any gaps in windows, doorways, and air ducts with caulk and weather strips. This will help keep the warm air in your home and the cold air out.
- Turn your hot water heater down to 120°F. By turning your electric water heater down to 120°F you can reduce your hot water costs by as much as 50%. Every 10 degree reduction can reduce your energy bill by $80 (4% cost savings). To reduce unnecessary heat loss from the heater, wrap it with a blanket or insulation jacket.
- Set your refrigerator temperature between 30 and 42°F and your freezer between 0 and 5°F. Use the power-save switch if you have one and make sure that the doors seal tightly.
- Use your fireplace sparingly. While a roaring fire can feel cozy at first, it's quite an inefficient way to heat your home. It pulls warm air from your home up through the chimney to the outside - up to 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour! So burn a fire sparingly, and don't forget to close the flue and block the hearth to prevent heat loss when you're not enjoying a fire.
Visit www.greenmountainenergy.com/energysaver for more tips on how to reduce your energy use and save money.
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