With high costs of energy being a major concern during the winter, we want our customers to be as prepared as possible. This is the first article in a series that will address ways that you can help conserve energy during the winter.
Your thermostat is a valuable tool if you use it wisely:
 Set your thermostat back 3-5 degrees before you go to bed at night or when you are away from your home for more than four hours.- Each degree you lower your heat in the 60-70 degree range will save 2 percent on your heating costs.
- Using a programmable thermostat can do the work for you. This type of thermostat can be programmed to automatically turn down or turn up during certain times of the day.
- Check with your heating contractor or local hardware store for costs involved in the installation of programmable thermostats.
Fireplaces can be energy thieves:
 If you have a fireplace, make
sure your damper closes tightly when you are not using it. - An open
or poorly fitted damper will allow the warm air from your home to
escape out the chimney.
- You should also make sure your chimney
is clean and inspected on an annual basis by a qualified contractor.
Use the sun:
- Close your drapes on cold days and at night, but
open them during the day time. This will help the sun heat your
home.
Furnace maintenance is important:
 To keep your furnace running
smoothly, replace or clean the filters. Your
owner's manual can tell you the suggested procedures to follow.- Dirty filters make your furnace run much harder and circulate
dirty air through your house.
- If you have family members with allergies,
you may want to consider filters that have special anti-allergen
components.
Check the duct work:
- Most ducts are located in unheated spaces
and are a common source of heat loss.
- Use R-6 or higher fiberglass
insulation to wrap ducts.
- Cracks or joints should be sealed with
UL-approved mastic sealants and UL-approved plastic or metallic
tapes. Do not use cloth-backed tapes.
- Reconnect or seal off any
disconnected ducts to avoid heating spaces that aren’t being
used.
- If you have any questions about how your duct work is connected,
contact your local HVAC contractor.
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