Here are some energy-saving tips from the Standard Pacific Homes Winter 2010 quarterly newsletter:
1. Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower. According to PSNC, for each degree above 68 degrees, your heating costs increase by 8 to 10 percent.
2. Replace or clean your HVAC filters once a month, or as needed. This simple task, along with tip #3, could improve your system’s energy efficiency by as much as 10 percent.
3. Clean your warm-air registers and cool-air returns regularly by either dusting or vacuuming. Make sure they are not blocked by furniture or drapes.
4. Use kitchen and bathroom ventilating fans wisely; in just 1 hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed air. Turn fans off as soon as they have done their job.
5. Keep doors to the outside closed. Contrary to popular belief, storm doors are usually not very effective as heat transfer barriers. Always close your primary door after entering or exiting your house.
6. Open shades and/or drapes on sunny winter days to help warm your house — especially any south-facing windows. Keep curtains and shades closed at night or on cloudy days to help reduce the amount of heat that escapes.
7. Do not heat unused space in your home. Close vents in extra rooms. However, do not close more than 20 percent of the total number of vents that your home has.
8. Check the setting on the thermostat of your water heater. Set it to “medium” or 120 degrees. Heating water to a higher temperature than is needed not only increases your energy usage, but is a safety concern as well.
9. Have a licensed heating contractor inspect your system each year. Most offer a service package to inspect twice a year.
10. Turn off all lights, televisions, radios and appliances when not in use.
11. Use low-wattage light bulbs where you can. Consider compact florescent light bulbs. Although they cost more than standard incandescent bulbs, they last 10 times longer (over 5 years in many cases) and only use 25 percent of the electricity.
