Freezing? You Can Be Toasty Warm and Still Save Energy

With most of the United States weathering record low temperatures that will likely continue through February, the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is educating homeowners about simple ways to save energy while keeping warm.

CEA experts have compiled a list of easy, tried-and-true energy saving tips that can help households stay comfortably warm and still conserve heating costs.

They include:
-Turning your thermostat back 10° – 15° when you’re asleep or out, which saves about 10 percent annually in heating costs
-Opening curtains on south-facing windows to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home
-Keeping your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning
-Using ceiling fans to circulate warm air. Reversing your ceiling fan clockwise helps move warmer pooled air near the ceiling back into the living space
-Keeping doors to rooms not in use closed, especially those with an exterior wall, which makes home heating more efficient

The CEA also recommends consumers think about replacing older gas appliances with an Energy Star water heater or furnace.

If you’re looking at phasing in your energy-efficient improvements, think about that water heater first. The folks at energystar.gov say water heaters are the second highest energy user in the home.

Upgrading to a new Energy Star certified water heater in 2018 could save you up to $3,500 over its lifetime. Consider these options:
-An Energy Star certified electric storage water heater uses half the energy of a standard model and can save a family of four up to $3,500 over its lifetime by heating water with a highly efficient heat pump (an air conditioner run in reverse).
-An Energy Star certified gas storage water heater uses eight percent less energy through better insulation, heat traps, and more efficient burners.
-An Energy Star certified tankless water heater can save a family of four more than $1,500 over its lifetime on gas bills compared to a standard gas storage model by heating water only when you need it.

Learn more at: consumerenergyalliance.org

By John Voket