Tips on Saving Heat in Winter

Suggested Tips on saving heat in the Winter Season

• A temporary measure to stop drafts and heat loss is to roll a towel and place it against bottom of the door.
• Check your home for air leaks.  Common sources of air leaks include cracks around doors and windows; gaps along baseboards; mail chutes and pet doors; cracks in brick, siding or foundation; and where external lines (phone, cable, etc.) enter your home.
• Close off rooms that you don’t use very often.  That way the warm air will stay where you need it most.
• Don’t block electric baseboard heaters, radiators or heat registers, move furniture to allow heat to flow freely from these heating sources.
• If you have a ceiling fan, make sure to reverse the motor in order to disperse the warm air collecting near the ceiling.
• Open drapes & shades during the day to let in the light and warmth of the sun.  Close them at night to keep out the cold.
• Prevent heat loss by sealing air leaks around windows and door frames with caulk and weather stripping. Use foam or plastic gaskets to insulate drafty electrical outlets along exterior walls.
• Remove and store your window air conditioner unit.  These are conduits for cold air and will allow your warmed air to escape outside.
• Set your thermostat back 5-10 degrees when leaving your home or business for an extended period of time.  Overall, however, keep the temperature fairly constant.  Frequent changes will use more energy.
• Set your thermostat to the lowest possible comfort setting.  At night, put an extra blanket or down comforter on the bed and turn down your thermostat 5 degrees or more. 
• The location of a thermostat can sometimes determine how well it will function. The thermostat should never be located on an exterior wall, where it could be affected by hot or cold outdoor temperatures.
• Turn off kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans when you are done.  In one hour, these fans can pull a house full of warm air right out of your home.
• When entertaining in your home, turn the thermostat down a degree or two before your guests arrive.  The additional body heat from your guests will make up the difference.
• You can save on energy by lowering your thermostat, for example, to 68 degrees versus maintain 75 degrees in your home or business.  Programmable thermostats can be used to adjust temperature settings up to several times per day according to a present schedule.