According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes. Take these steps to reduce your energy costs during the cool winter months! 1. Program your thermostat. Installing and using your programmable thermostat could save you up to $180 every year in energy costs. 2. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent - and sometimes much more. 3. Check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger. Improperly operating gas (or oil) connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently. 4. Install Energy Star Appliances: Not only does investing in new appliances efficiently warm your home in the winter and cool it in the summer, you stand to save more in the long run says the Environmental Protection Agency. After installing, file for an energy tax credit! 5. Conduct an Energy Assessment on your home: The ENERGY STAR Home Advisor can provide you with recommended home improvement projects to increase energy efficiency and comfort in the area where you live. Source: www.energystar.gov http://www.energystar.gov/homeadvisor
Comments(0)