It’s easy to reduce the amount of energy you use to heat your home, and you’ll save money too. Home heating accounts for about 34% of the average home’s energy consumption. And get this: energy-related carbon dioxide emissions represent a whopping 80% of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
There are a bunch of things we can do that can make a difference to a home’s heating costs. If you’re renovating, invest in a high efficiency heating system and install double-pane, thermal glazed windows for minimal heat loss. Simpler modifications can make a big difference, too. And their effects can be felt as immediately as you implement them.
Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees or the temperature you are comfortable in with your slippers and favorite sweater. Set the temperature back to 60 degrees when you’re asleep to save around 10% in energy costs. And when you’re away overnight, dial it back to 50. Installing a programmable thermostat will make temperature regulation automatic.
Close the curtains. If your windows are not energy efficient, you can increase their insulating value (R-value) by keeping the curtains closed on the north side of the house every day and keeping all curtains closed on cloudy days. On sunny days, open curtains on southern windows to take advantage of solar gain.
Seal air leaks. A simple inspection that involves looking and feeling for light and drafts around plumbing and electrical penetrations, doors and windows can identify leaks that are sucking heat right out of your home. Solutions are inexpensive and easy to install and include caulk, foam and weather-stripping.
Close off unused rooms. Heating less square footage will save energy. If you have rooms that are not being used, close the vents in those rooms and seal the rooms off.
Combined, these measures can start saving energy overnight and start shrinking your carbon footprint. Now that's hot!
Take Action / Next Steps
Locate air leaks with the help of U.S. Department of Energy guidelines.
Draft stoppers (a.k.a. draft guards or door snakes) work well for stopping drafts between sealed-off rooms and living areas. Purchase draft stoppers from Improvements.com .
Did you know that heating is the largest energy expense in most homes?
Consumers
spend approximately 6% to 12% of their gross income paying for residential fuel and energy costs related to heating, says
Energy Guide.
Did you know that U.S. households will pay, on average, 10.5% more for heat this
winter compared to last year?
Heating oil and propane customers will get hit hardest—paying
28% and 28.3% more, respectively, according to the National Energy Assistance Director's Association.
Did you know that you can save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your
thermostat back?
You’ll save as much as 1% in energy costs for each degree if the setback
period is eight hours long, according to the Department of Energy.
Did you know that Energy Guide says that uncontrolled air infiltration can account for 30 percent or
more of a home’s heating costs?
Ignoring cracks and gaps in your home’s envelope is like leaving a window wide open. Spending the time and
money to seal air leaks will make your home more comfortable and reduce heating costs.
Did you know that heating our homes produces a billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)
annually?
And that’s not all. Heating systems throughout the U.S. also emit about 12% of the
sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emitted by the nation, according to the Department of Energy. Reducing your home's
contribution to global environmental problems depends upon lowering energy use for heating.
Did you know that 48.2% of all electricity consumed in the U.S. comes from
coal generated power plants?
Burning coal for
power produces more carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas, than any other fossil fuel. In areas where coal is the
predominant energy source, replacing electric heat with cleaner natural gas will cut greenhouse gas
emissions.
SOURCES :
1. US Department of Energy. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Energy Savers Consumer Guide. [undated] “Your Home’s Energy Use.” Available from: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/home_energy.html [6 December 2007]
7. The National Energy Assistance Directors' Association. Press Release. [25 September 2007] “Record Winter Prices Predicted for Home Heating Oil, Propane and Electricity.” http://www.neada.org/comm/press/index.htm [7 December 2007]
