Close the door and isolate unused rooms in your home to reduce the overall space you heat.
Activate your computer’s power management features, so it powers down when sitting idle.
Weather-strip doors and windows that do not seal tightly. Use foam gaskets around electrical outlets (under the plates) to reduce drafts.
Make the most of natural sunlight in the winter by opening window coverings on south-facing windows to warm your home.
Remove furniture or items that block heating vents.
Clean or change your furnace filter monthly so that your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard.
Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter. For every degree you lower the thermostat, you can save 3% on your heating bill. You should also turn down your thermostat 5 to 10 degrees at bedtime.
Increase ceiling insulation. If your ceiling is not insulated or needs more insulation, you can reduce heating costs by 5-25 percent by increasing your insulation to up to R-38.
Install a programmable thermostat. Setback thermostats can save up to 15 percent on energy costs.
When buying new appliances, choose ENERGY STAR-certified models. A new ENERGY STAR refrigerator uses about 20 percent less energy than a standard new refrigerator, and 46 percent less than one made in 1980. A new Energy Star® clothes washer uses nearly 50 percent less energy than a standard washer.
