At the Front Door Prevent heat loss around your door. Weather stripping is a good start. Use a seal that can be attached to the bottom of the door – it should brush up against the threshold to fill any gap.
In the Attic Poor insulation can cause up to six times more heat loss. Have at least six inches of good thermal insulation in your ceiling, and insulate your heat ducts to keep in your home’s heat. A home can lose up to 25 percent of its hot air before it ever reaches the vents.
In the Bathroom
- Avoid wasting hot water by replacing shower heads that fill a one-gallon bucket in 20 seconds or less with a more efficient model that flows slower than 2.5 gallons, the maximum standard allowed.
- Turn off the sink while you brush your teeth, shave, etc., to save water and energy.
- Keep blinds open during the winter to let the sun warm the bathroom.
- Opt for the shower instead of a bath to help save approximately 60 percent – or 20 gallons – of water.
In the Living Room
- Remove the faceplate of an electrical outlet and install a rubber gasket to stop air from trickling into and out of the walls through the small cracks. Always consult an electrician before doing any work to your home’s electrical system.
- Avoid obstructing air circulation. Keep rugs and furniture away from vents, or at least allow a two to three inch clearance from the vent.
In the Basement
Maximize your furnace’s efficiency. Be sure to schedule an annual check-up, cleaning and adjustment.
In the Garage
- Keep garage doors closed to keep heat loss to a minimum. Attach weather-stripping to the base of the door to reduce the overall heat loss.
- Consider using motion-sensitive lighting in your garage to ensure lights activate only when you need them.
When You’re Away from Home
Dial down the thermostat to cool off rooms when you are out of the house. By turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours or more, you can save 5 to 15 percent on your heating bill – a savings of as much as one percent for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long.
Note, if you have indoor pets, keep it above 68 degrees during the winter and provide towels or bedding for their additional warmth.
Sources: www.energy.gov & http://oilheatamerica.com/index.mv?screen=interactivehouse