Using energy wisely can reduce consumption and save money on utility bills. Some things cost nothing and can save a lot.

Here are 25 energy-saving tips.

Where Air Escapes in Homes*...

 First and foremost, have your furnace and gas appliances serviced annually by a qualified contractor to ensure safety and maximum energy-efficiency. As you "tighten up" your home for energy-efficiency, you may even want to install a carbon monoxide detector for added safety. Follow this link to our list of Gas AdvantageContractors in your area.

 When buying a new heating system or appliance, compare energy-efficiency ratings and annual operating costs. A slightly higher initial cost for a high-efficiency unit could pay itself back in a very short time through energy savings and lower utility bills.

 Put on your favorite sweater and set your thermostats between 65 and 68 degrees during the winter. For sleep hours, set the temperature at least 5 degrees lower and add a cozy blanket to your bed. When away from home for more than a few hours, set your thermostat at 58 degrees. (Warmer temperatures are recommended for homes with ill or elderly persons or infants).

Install a programmable thermostat and set it to accurately follow your schedule. If no one is home during the day, there's no need to keep your house toasty. Using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the furnace or air-conditioner according to a pre-set schedule. Programmable thermostats can store and repeat multiple daily settings (six or more temperature settings a day) that you can manually override without affecting the rest of the daily or weekly program. 

 Adjust vents to keep specific rooms of your home at a desired temperature. Heat rises, so you may want to partially close upstairs vents. Check with your heating contractor to see if this will work well with your heating system design.

 Seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings, such as pipes or ducts, with caulking or weather-stripping. 

 If pipes or ducts run through unheated areas, insulate them.

Close vents and doors in unused rooms. Check with your heating/HVAC contractor to see if this will work well with your heating system design.

 Use draperies, awnings, blinds or shutters on all windows to slow the loss of heat through the glass. In winter, keep window coverings open on sunny days to let the sun's warmth in and close them at night to insulate against cold, outside air. Use drapes, shutters, awnings, shade trees, glass with reflective film or solar screens to keep sunlight out in the summer. 

Rearrange furniture by placing it against inside walls - you're less likely to feel cool drafts if you're not sitting next to the outside walls.

more tips---> 

Download a PDF file of these energy-saving tips. 
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*Energy-savings are based on information from the Department of Energy's web site at energy.gov.

**These actions can save you money with a gas furnace but may drive your energy bills higher with some electric heat pumps. 

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