You can save money on your energy all year long!
Winter Savings Tips
If you haven’t already, conduct an energy audit to find out where you can save the most, and consider making a larger investment for long-term energy savings.
- Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. Close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
- Find and seal leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings. Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows. (See diagram of common air leaks.)
- Cover drafty windows. Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration.
- Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing.
- Adjust the temperature. When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. Regularly schedule service for your heating system.
- When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 5° to 10° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. A smart or programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.
- Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible.