Energy Efficient Homes: Home Energy Tips

7 Heating System Tips for Energy Efficiency

1. Clean your heating filters. Check them every couple of weeks and change them at least twice in the season, or as directed by the manufacturer. Doing so is an easy way to achieve efficient home energy.


2. Check and maintain your insulation. Improperly insulated walls, floors, attics, basements and crawlspaces drain away heat and can also lead to moisture imbalance, and is not characteristic of energy efficient homes. Adding weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors can also go a long way to improving your home's insulation.


3. Turn down your thermostat. Keeping your thermostat a few degrees cooler can lower your heating bills and still not affect your home's comfort. Many energy efficient homes have installed a programmable thermostat to keep temperatures regular and help control home energy expenditure.


4. Clean the furnace area. Don't keep chemicals or cleaning products near your heater, and don't store anything next to it that could impede ventilation.


5. Keep vents and returns free of obstructions. Energy efficient homes don't lay carpet over vents, place furniture over or in front of them, or obstruct the flow of air.


6. Install a humidifier. Humidity in summer makes you feel hotter; the same is true in winter. Dry air feels cooler than moist air. A simple humidifier may make the home feel five degrees warmer than a home with dry air. Humidifiers are an easy way to improve energy usage in your home.


7. Have your home heating system inspected by a professional technician. Even the most efficient home energy system can suffer if it is not properly maintained. A properly serviced system heats more efficiently.