Helpful heating and cooling tips
to help you cut energy costs
1. Buy a programable thermostat and use it to control the temperature in you home automatically. A top-of-the-line unit ($99) provides a seven-day menu with four programable periods per day, while a low cost unit ($30-$40) offers one schedule for weekdays, another for weekends. The Energy Star experts say that when used properly, a programable thermostat can save about $150 per year on utility bills.
2. Take advantage of the sun's warmth in winter. Open south-facing window shades and drapes on sunny days and close them at night.
3. Check furnace filters each month and wash or replace it at least every three months. A dirty filter increases your energy bill and shortens the life of your heating and cooling system
4. Stop air leaks. Energy Star reports savings if up to 20 percent from effective home sealing and insulation. Seal gaps around windows and doors with caulk and weather stripping. Close the fireplace damper when it's not being used. Check your dryer vent cap to make sure it closes tightly.
5. Use precut foam insulation to wrap the exposed pipes coming from your hot water heater. It's cheap and easy to install. If you have a gas model or boiler, don't use foam wrap near the flue. Instead us unfaced fiberglass pipe wrap. Secure with foil tape or wire.
6. Add fiberglass insulation to the attic floor and house walls and save up to 30 percent on your heating and cooling costs. The U.S. Department of Energy offers an online tool that recommedns the most efficient level of insulation for a house based on zip code and other parameters including house type, fuel used and current energy prices:
Information taken from Better Homes & Gardens, October 2007 edition, Living Green section page 128