Energy Saving Tips for Cold Weather

Posted: September 30, 2014

Cold Weather Energy Conservation Tips

Date: September 30, 2014
Posted by: Gerald Kuller, Installation Sales Manager

The cold nights of fall and winter are just around the corner – which means it will soon be time to fire up your heating system for the season.

For many people, that means higher energy bills – especially if you have an older, less efficient furnace or boiler (in fact, if your heating system is more than 15 years old, it might be time to replace it: a new high efficiency model would quickly pay for itself by saving you 30 percent or more on your energy bills).

But even the best-performing equipment can do only so much to keep your bills down. Much of your heating system performance comes down to being smarter – not necessarily spending a lot more money for better equipment.

Here are 10 smart – and inexpensive – ways to help you save energy this winter.

1. Don’t heat an empty house – Install an economical programmable thermostat (contact us if you need help) to lower temperatures when no one is home. By not heating an empty house, you can save you as much as 20 percent on your energy bill.
2. Get an Energy Audit: A high-quality energy audit from Wilson Oil & Propane will cost only a fraction of what you stand to lose on your energy bill this winter. You’ll learn energy savings tips that can help keep you comfortable this winter and beyond.
3. Seal the deal – One of the most cost-effective ways to lower your overall energy bill is to reduce the amount of air leaking into and out of your home. The Department of Energy estimates that you can save up to 20 percent on your months bills by properly sealing your windows, doors, ducts and even your electrical outlets.
4. Keep it clean – If you have a warm air system, keep your furnace filter clean to save up to 5 percent on your bill (you should replace disposable filters about once a month during the heating season). You can even install a furnace filter alarm – contact us for details.
5. Pipe down – Insulate pipes in untreated areas of your home, including attics, basements, and crawl spaces to minimize heat loss.
6. Let the sunshine in – The greenhouse effect might not be good for the planet, but it’s great for heating your home. Keep windows open to absorb “free” heat from the sun during the day, and then keep that heat from escaping by closing curtains at night.
7. Don’t heat the chimney – An open fireplace damper loses as much heat as an open window – so when you’re not using your fireplace, close the damper. And if the temperature outside is less than 20 degrees, don’t use the fireplace at all – you lose more heat through the flue than you gain from the fire.
8. Do some window-shopping – Energy-efficient, double-paned windows will cut your heating bills significantly. If you can’t afford new windows, try some inexpensive plastic sealing.
9. Clear the (hot) air – Keep your baseboard heaters, radiators, and heat registers clear from furniture, drapery or rugs so hot air can flow more easily into the room.
10. Recruit Uncle Sam – Federal, State, and Local Tax Credits for energy efficiency are set aside each year. You might be surprised how many resources are available to upgrade your windows, roofing, and insulation.

Contact Wilson today to schedule your energy audit and start enjoying the savings every month!