Seasonal Energy Saving Tips

SAVING IN WINTER!

Save a little or a lot of energy and money in the winter months.

Here's how:

• Fall Heat Check-up: Schedule a fall check of your heating equipment with a licensed contractor. They will clean and check your system, and tune it for maximum energy efficiency and dependability.
• For Hot Air Only: For Warm Air Systems, clean or change your system’s air filter on a regular basis to save energy and help prevent early system failure.
• Go Lower: Set your thermostat as low as comfortably possible. Wear layers of clothes indoors to stay warm.
• Reset and Save: By resetting your thermostat manually or automatically from 72º to 65º for eight hours each day, you can cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent.
• Up the Chimney: Close the damper when you’re not using your fireplace. This will greatly reduce heat loss.
• Proper Fireplace Use: Never use a traditional fireplace for supplemental heating. They suck air out of your home and exhaust warm air out through the chimney.
• Create A No Leak Zone: Seal cracks and other openings in your home to minimize air leaks. Replace or add weather-stripping around door frames and window frames. You also may need to caulk between the frame and the siding on the inside and outside.
• Button Up: Check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors and crawlspaces to make sure it meets ENERGY STAR-recommended levels. Click here.
• Get Even Smarter: Get more tips with Energy.gov's Energy Saver Guide by clicking here.
• Audit Your Home: Apply online with Energy New England's FREE Energy Audit Intake Form. Just click here.

SAVING IN SUMMER!

When the summer heat's on, here's how you can save.

Check it out:

• Get a Spring Check-up: Schedule a spring check and tune-up of your cooling equipment with a local, qualified licensed HVAC contractor. Dirt and neglect can cause your system to use more electricity, strain and even fail.
• Clean The Filter: Clean or change your HVAC system’s air filter on a regular basis to save energy and prevent strain on your system.
• Set Your Thermostat: Keep it as high as comfortably possible. Just a one-degree increase can save 3 to 5 percent on energy costs.
• Ceiling Fans On: With a fan on, you can raise your thermostat about 4 degrees—with no reduction in comfort. And they use little electricity compared to a Window or Central AC unit.
• Shades Down: Keep window shades and blinds closed to block direct sunlight. Even waves of heat penetrate glass on the hottest days. Window coverings help.
• Caulk and Seal: Seal cracks and other openings in your home to minimize air leaking in...or out.
• Insulate: Check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors and crawlspaces to make sure it meets ENERGY STAR-recommended levels. Click here.
• Get Even Smarter: Get more tips with Energy.gov's Energy Saver Guide by clicking here.
• Get a Free Home Energy Audit : Apply online with Energy New England's FREE Energy Audit Intake Form. Just click here.

SAVING IN ALL SEASONS!

Here are some universal saving methods that you can use yearround:

• Low or Off: Dim or turn off any unnecessary lights when not using them.
• Shine A Light: Use area lighting so you don't have to light the entire room.
• Choose The Right Light: Use LED and CFL fluorescent light bulbs. They save enormous amounts of energy and money.
• Go With The Flow: If you have a Central or Warm Air System, check your air registers to make sure that furniture and drapes are not blocking or restricting airflow.
• Warm from the Top Down: Install sufficient attic ventilation. Find out how much is right by clicking here.
• Hot, But Not Too Hot: Set your hot water heater at 120 to 140 degrees.
• Put A Sweater On: If your water heater is in a cool or unheated area, install an insulating jacket and insulate your hot water pipes.
• Get Your Ducts In A Row: To get the most out of your air distribution system, seal exposed ductwork with mastic compound or HVAC tape “approved” for duct sealing. Do not use common duct tape. It's not made for hot and cold extremes and will peel off.