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Follow on Google News | ABC Pest Pool & Lawn Services Newsletter - Slash Your Heating Bills!As fuel prices rise, it's tempting to look for the single solution that will shave off a large part of your heating bill, but there are numerous ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
By: Andrew K -------------------------------------- The most obvious way to reduce your fuel use is to turn down the thermostat. Think of it as a valve between your fuel supplier and your wallet. For every degree you turn it down, you will use up to 3 percent less heating energy. A 10-degree setback overnight or while you're at work will cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent. When you use a programmable thermostat, you save energy without even thinking about it - simply adjust the settings to turn the temperature down automatically while you're away from home. Keep in mind that it doesn't take long to heat your home to a comfortable level - only about 15 minutes. Never adjust the thermostat above the desired temperature; Some heating systems allow you to provide temperature control to different heat "zones" in the house. If you are installing a new heating system, make sure you have enough zone control to keep seldom-used areas of the house at cooler temperatures. -------------------------------------- Repair Drafty Windows: -------------------------------------- Older windows are often big energy wasters. When you're ready to invest in new windows, many energy-efficient options are available before you buy, you should know there are several inexpensive repairs that can improve the performance of your current windows. When assessing the condition of your windows, look for the number of panes of glass (also called glazing), and how tightly the windows close. If the sashes and frames are rotten, then it's time to think about new windows. Any drafts you feel when standing next to a window are likely due to air infiltration around the window frame or sash perimeter. Address drafts by installing sash locks and weather stripping around the perimeter of the window. For double-hung windows, consider side-mounted sash locks that pull the window tight to the sides of the frame, not just where the sash rails meet. You can remove the inside trim surrounding the window to see how it was installed into the framing cavity. Any air space between the house shell and the window frame can cause significant air leakage and should be sealed. If the gap is not too wide, then it can be sealed with caulk, backer rod or nonexpanding foam. For windows with ropes and pulleys, buy pulley seals to stop air infiltration there. You can reduce heat loss through windows by covering them with plastic window film or insulating window inserts. Another option is to make simple window quilts by sandwiching a piece of bubble wrap between two pieces of cloth material, which can be rolled up and down as needed. -------------------------------------- Efficient Heating Systems: -------------------------------------- A typical heating system will last about 20 years, although some have been around much longer. If yours is 15 years old or more, then it is a good candidate for replacement: -------------------------------------- Maintenance you can do yourself: -------------------------------------- Preventive maintenance is the best way to maximize the efficiency and life of your heating system. Simple things you can do include: * Keep any air registers, grills and radiators clean and clear. Furniture, drapes, dirt or other obstructions block heat. * Regularly clean or replace the air filter. Do this whenever you can see dust buildup, which may be once a month or more during the heating season. If the air handler (the blower fan) is also used for air conditioning, then service the filter throughout the year. * Clean the furnace blower motor and fan blades when you change the air filter. Only do this yourself if you're completely sure you have shut off the electricity to the furnace. The fan is usually behind the air filter, but check your owner's manual. -------------------------------------- Professional maintenance: -------------------------------------- To keep your heating system operating smoothly and safely, you will need to have it cleaned, tuned and adjusted annually. Here are a few things a technician can do during that service: * Test the efficiency. Nothing runs at 100-percent efficiency, but if the service technician cannot bring the efficiency up to at least 75 percent, then ask about the costs and benefits of equipment upgrades or replacement. * For a forced-air system, balance the supply and return ductwork. This adjusts the airflow to and from each room for maximum efficiency. * Check for soot, rust and corrosion in, on and around the furnace and on the floor surrounding it. Such signs indicate the system requires immediate service. -------------------------------------- Home Heating Checklist: -------------------------------------- * Open the curtains and shades on sunny days. * Design landscaping to allow sunlight to enter south-facing windows in the winter, and to provide shade in the summer and year-round wind blocks. * Dress warmly and keep the temperature as low as is comfortable. * Use a programmable thermostat to turn down the heat at night, and while you're at work or out of town. * Seal and insulate your furnace ductwork. * Use insulating window curtains at night to reduce heat loss. * Install a ceiling fan to circulate warm air trapped at the ceiling, allowing you to turn down the thermostat a few degrees. * Use plastic window film, storm windows or insulating window panels if your home has single-pane windows. * Seal drafty areas where outside air enters the home, such as at doors and windows and anywhere air from the attic can penetrate the rest of the house, such as the chimney, plumbing chases and attic hatches. * Hire an experienced energy auditor to pinpoint air leakage areas that need to be sealed. * Insulate the attic, walls and floor to recommended levels. * Use a tight-closing damper on fireplace chimneys to prevent conditioned air from flowing up the chimney. * If the heating system is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with an Energy Star-qualified system. * If you are considering major renovations to your house, have an energy audit performed to see if any energy-efficiency improvements can be made at the same time. -------------------------------------- End
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