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Heating & Insulation Tips
 No Cost
- Turn Down the Thermostat— Turning down the thermostat by 1 degree F, can save 25-30 gallons of heating oil per year. That’s up to 3% of an average homes yearly consumption, or between $105-$128 per year at the current average rate of heating oil ($4.26/gallon).
It is a common myth that turning the thermostat down makes you burn more heating oil in warming up the house again.
Turn down your thermostat to 55 degrees when the house is unoccupied. It takes about 1 hour to heat the average house to a desired temperature. When at home during the day, setting your thermostat to 68 degrees is a comfortable maximum temperature. At night when you are sleeping, around 60 degrees should be comfortable.
Visit Proper Guidlines for Programmable Thermostats: energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=thermostat.pr_thermostat_guidelines
- Adjust Window Treatments— During the day, let sunlight in by opening curtains, blinds and shades over the windows facing the sun to keep your home warm and reduce heating needs. At night or when the sky is overcast, keep drapes and curtains closed to keep warmth indoors.
 Don't Turn It Up, Bundle Up! & Short Showers Save Energy.
Visit YouTube.com to see Green Team Tips for Kids. View video script.
Low Cost
- Seal Leaks —Seal any leaks in your heating or cooling system ducts. Also fix leaks in water/steam heat pipes. Savings: 5-25 percent of heating/cooling costs.
- Caulking & Weatherstripping— By caulking and weather-stripping, you can cut your heating bills up to 10%. Weather-strip doors and windows, and caulk air leaks around windows, doorframes, pipes and ducts.
- Insulate Windows— Use clear plastic sheets to insulate windows during the heating season. Savings: 2-7 percent of heating/cooling costs.
- Seal Off Receptacles— Seal off electric receptacles and switch boxes with foam gaskets or fiberglass insulation. Savings: 1-3 percent of heating/cooling costs.
- Insulate Pipes— Insulate hot water pipes that provide heat to the rooms in your home. This will reduce heat loss in un-insulated areas and will help your heating system work more efficiently.
- Clean Boilers & Furnaces— Make sure the boiler or furnace is cleaned and serviced by qualified personnel for optimum efficiency. Cleaning substantially extends the life of your heating system while ensuring that it’s operating safely. Plus it can save you up to 10% on fuel costs.
Good Investment
- Thermal Windows— Install storm or thermal (replacement) windows. These tightly fitting windows give the benefit of double-pane glass. Air trapped between the two panes acts as a thermal insulator, keeping your heated air inside where it belongs. Be sure to get windows that have the new super-efficient low-emissivity glazing.
- Storm Doors—Install storm doors to prevent warm air from escaping to the outside and remove window air conditioners in the winter, if possible. If not possible, use an insulated cover. This tip could save you up to 15% on your heating costs.
- Repair Holes— Repair any holes in your roof, walls, doors, ceilings, windows and floors. Savings: Up to 10 percent of heating/cooling costs.
- Insulate—
- Insulate attic access and basement trap doors with R-19 insulation. Savings: 1-3 percent of heating/cooling costs.
- You can cut your heating costs up to 25% simply by installing proper ceiling insulation to at least R-30 standards. Insulate walls, floors and heating ducts, too. This insulation will not only keep heat from escaping, but will also make your home more comfortable.
View Energy Star recommended levels of insulation: energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_insulation_table
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