ENERGY EDUCATION

Test Your Heating System

Turn your heater on to make sure your system is functioning properly. The best time to do this is in August or early September when the heating companies are not busy with emergency “no heat” customers. If your heating system isn’t functioning properly and you do not have the funds to pay for repairs, reach out to your local community action agency and inquire if they have any funding available to assist.

Clean Boilers and Furnaces

The summer and fall are a good time to have your heating system cleaned and serviced by qualified personnel. A clean system is safer, runs more efficiently, and will help it last longer.

Heating Vents and Floor Registers

Make sure that vents and floor registers are sealed where they meet the wall or the floor. Make sure all vents and floor registers are not obstructed by rugs or furniture that could block the airflow.

Weatherstripping

Keep out the cold drafts by using weather stripping around doors and windows.

Door Sweep

Installing door sweeps on the bottom of the door between heated and unheated areas such as garages, bulkheads, and basement doors will help keep the cold out. 

Heating & Cooling Systems

• Heating Zones – If your home has zone heating, be sure to heat only the smallest zone possible. Consider turning down thermostats and closing registers in vacant zones, taking precautions to avoid frozen pipes.
• Turn Down Manual Thermostats – If you do not have a heat pump, consider turning down your heating systems thermostat to 55 degrees when you are not at home. For optimal sleeping conditions set your thermostat to 60 degrees when you go to bed.
• Clean Boilers & Furnaces – For optimum efficiency, have your boiler or furnace cleaned and serviced annually by qualified personnel. Your system will make your heating system safer and much more efficient and make the unit last longer.
  
• Radiators – If your home has radiators, place heat-resistant reflectors between the radiator and walls to heat the room instead of the wall.

Easy Home Adjustments

• Fireplaces – Use the fireplace damper correctly. Properly close the flue damper of your fireplace when you are not using it. This will prevent warm indoor air from escaping in winter. Make sure the fire is totally out before closing the down the damper of your fireplace and also confirm there are no glowing embers to reduce the risk of your home filling with carbon monoxide and other  pollutants.
  
• Window Treatments – During the day, let the sunlight in by opening the curtains, blinds and shades on windows facing the sun to reduce heating demands. At night, be sure to keep drapes and curtains closed to reduce heat loss.
  
• Light Bulbs – Change your light bulbs to energy efficient LEDs. LED light bulbs use 75% less energy and lasts 25% times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Water Energy Savers

• Water Temperature – Generally, lower water temperatures save energy, and higher temperatures allow a common default setting is 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  allow the unit to handle more hot water use. High temperatures also increase the risk of scalding, so
• Repair or Replace Leaky Faucets – Did you know a leaky faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of moisture build up leading to mold growth. Consider repairing or replacing leaky faucets.that was used to heat it. Leaky faucets may also cause damage to walls and floors that could result in water each year? If your faucets are leaking, you are not only wasting water, you are wasting the energy