1. Setting the Temperature
You may consider setting your
thermostat at 20 C (68 F) during the day and turn it down to 17 C (63 F)
at night. If you find this procedure too troublesome, you may consider
replacing you thermostat with a programmable one.
2. Keeping the Heat In
Close the drapes as soon as
the sun goes down to keep warm air in the room. Installing a ceiling fan
in rooms with high or cathedral ceilings to push warm air down to where
it is needed. Don't open windwos to "air" your house in winder unless you
are using a wood-burning or a gas stove. Replace hollow exterior doors
with insulated ones. Check for excess air gaps on exterior doors and seal
the gap with weatherstrip.
3. Find the Leaks
Our homes need some fresh air
but excessive leaks is big waste of energy. Cold air can seep through mail
chutes, laundry chutes, pet doors, attic access hatches, electrical outlets,
recessed lights and windows. Locate these leaks and then use a good caulking
to seal up the cracks, replacing old weather stripping and adding new weather
stripping where necessary to stop those leaks.
4. Keep the heat out in Summer
Add awnings or reflective coatings
to sunlit windows. Installing low-speed ceiling fans; they are more efficient
than higher-speed fans. Install an attic ventilation fan to keep the temperature
below 38 C (101 F). Insulating your home can also help to keep your house
cooler by shutting out the hot humid air.
5. Be Water-wise
Repair toilets and faucets leaks
immediately. Replace older and less efficient fixtures or appliances with
more efficient newer ones. Run washing machines and dishwashers with full
loads and use cold water. Install low-flow showerheads and flow reducer
devices on taps. Turn down the water heater thermostat to 55 C (131 F)
from 60 C (140 F).
6. Keep Your Fireplace Fit
Install glass doors on your
wood buring fireplaces to stop heated air in your home from escaping up
the chimney, and to keep cold air from being drawn down the chimney when
it is not in use. Replacing a wood-burning fireplace with a natural gas
fireplace heater insert can mean big savings. If you are in the market
for a new fireplace, look for something with a burner that can be manually
turned down, or add a fireplace thermostat to control the room temperature.
7. On the Range
Make sure the oven door seal
is tight. Peek through the window instead of opening the door when you're
baking! Turn the oven off a few minutes before food is ready and let the
residual heat to finish the job. Use the "self-clean" feature right after
cooking a meal to take advantage of the heat in the unit. Use small appliances
like the toaster, coffee maker and kettle instead of the range when possible.
8. On the Dryer
Look for dryer models with a
moisture sensor, which will shut the dryer off when clothes are dry. Avoid
partial loads. Clean the lint filter after every load. Run consecutive
loads to take advantage of any residual heat in the machine.
9. Pool and Spa Tips
Set spas and hot tubs to a maximum
of 39 C (102 F) and pools to 26 C (79 F). Heat them for six to eight hours
when in use instead of all day! Use a thermal pool blanket to keep water
warm overnight and reduce water and heat lost to evaporation. Use timers
to regulate energy use and the length of time your pool is heated.
10. Furnace Tips
Change or clean furnace filters
regularly. Have your furnace serviced regularly to ensure it is working
safely and at peak efficiency. Check heating ducts for loose connections
or cracks between joints. If you are buying a new gas furnace, consider
a high-efficiency one. They may cost a bit more but offer years of future
savings!