25 Ways to Cut Home Energy Costs

With the added costs of heating and electric energy we are all looking for a way to save money. With a little bit of preparation and the use of inexpensive materials you can cut your energy costs up to 50%. Here are 25 tips for cutting energy costs during the winter.

1. Seal up cracks and gaps. You can both check for drafts with a stick of incense and watch how the smoke moves, or you can check at night when the air is noticeably colder to the skin. 

2. Reverse your ceiling fans to force hot air back down into the room. Hot air rises so changing your fans to counterclockwise will pull the hot air upward faster. 

3. Make sure your heating burner is operating cleanly. Like an engine if you heat system is not tuned up every once in a while it will start to run badly and use more oil. Have you heating system inspected yearly to make sure it is running optimally and that it is not leaking carbon monoxide. Change the filters every 2-3 months. 

4. Block door leaks with rolled up towels or rugs. 

5. Check for drafts that pass across the thermostat because colder air can make it start up again. Stop these drafts immediately. 

6. Don't block heat registers with curtains or furniture. 

7. Buy a thermostat with a timer. Set the timer so that the thermostat is turned down when no one is home. About ½ hour prior to arriving home your thermometer timer should be set to run so it is warm when you get home. 

8. Keep the fireplace damper closed and don't use it. Fireplaces are actually energy wasters so use it in moderation or get a fireplace liner. 

9. At night wear sweaters and use an extra heavy blankets for the bed. For every 1 degree Fahrenheit you turn down your thermostat you will save up to 3% on energy costs. 

10. Cover and seal air conditioners. Weather stripping can be bought by the foot or in a kit. Air conditioners cause huge air leaks so get a cover and make sure it is sealed until summer. This will also help keep out bugs in early spring.