MXenergy Wizard Heating Tips

 MXenergy Wizard Energy Tips

Heating

• Efficient Operation - Heating is the largest energy user for homes in our area. Increasing the efficiency of your heating system is the most effective way to save money and reduce your home's contribution to climate change.
• Thermostat Settings - Health permitting, set your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night and when no one is home. Each degree over 68 can increase by three percent the amount of energy you use for heating.
• Programmable Thermostat - Install a programmable thermostat and program it to turn down the heat at night and when no one is home.
• Inspection - Every fall, have your heating system cleaned and inspected by a qualified contractor.
• Keep Registers Clean - Keep warm-air vents clean.
• Trapped Air - If you have a hot-water heating system, release any trapped air from radiators.
• Pipe Insulation - Wrap with insulation any hot-water pipes that pass through unheated spaces. For steam pipes, use non-foam insulation, as foam can melt.
• Inspect Ducts - Inspect hot-air ducts to ensure adequate air flow and to eliminate any loss of heated air.
• Duct Insulation - Wrap with insulation any hot-air ducts that pass through unheated spaces.
• Filter Replacement - Clean or replace filters for your hot-air furnace and heat-pump every month during the heating season or use filters made to run six to 12 months before needing replacement
• Reflectors - Radiators can lose heat into exterior walls. Reduce this loss by placing reflectors between the wall and the radiator.
• Heat Flow - Keep drapes or furniture away from radiators and baseboard heaters so heat can flow freely.
• Unused Rooms - Close doors and warm-air vents in unused rooms, but in extreme cold be aware of water pipes that could freeze and burst.
• Air Conditioners - Remove window air conditioners when the weather gets cool. If you can't, enclose them with a cover.
• Lower Thermostat - Lowering the thermostat 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day can save you up to 15 percent a year on your heating bill.
• Maintain Humidity Levels - Use an efficient humidifier to maintain comfortable humidity levels and help you conserve heat. Proper humidity helps you feel comfortable without turning up the heat.
• Ceiling Fans - Use ceiling fans to circulate warm air in winter, especially in rooms with high ceilings.
• Curtains - If your windows are well-insulated, open the curtains on sunny days in the winter months and close them at night to keep the heat in.
• ENERGY STAR - When buying a new furnace or boiler, look for the ENERGY STAR label.

  Trapped Air - If you have a hot-water heating system, release any trapped air from radiators.

  Pipe Insulation - Wrap with insulation any hot-water pipes that pass through unheated spaces. For steam pipes, use non-foam insulation, as foam can melt.

  Inspect Ducts - Inspect hot-air ducts to ensure adequate air flow and to eliminate any loss of heated air.

  Duct Insulation - Wrap with insulation any hot-air ducts that pass through unheated spaces.

  Filter Replacement - Clean or replace filters for your hot-air furnace and heat-pump every month during the heating season or use filters made to run six to 12 months before needing replacement.

Source: http://www.coned.com/thepowerofgreen/tips/001.asp