How to Heat Houses while Conserving Energy
- 1). Install a programmable thermostat in your home and set it to 68 degrees during the hours when you're awake. Set it to 10 to 15 degrees cooler during the times you are asleep. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this measure alone lowers bills by 5 to 15 percent a year.
- 2). Call a contractor and discuss having your attic insulated to prevent energy loss through the attic, one of the most common places for heat to escape.
- 3). Inspect windows for gaps. Fill any holes with silicone caulk by loading a tube of caulk into a caulking gun and running a thin, even bead of caulk along the open area. Smooth the caulk with a wet finger.
- 4). Install weather stripping around doors and windows to seal the house from wind and drafts.
- 5). Install double-paned windows if you can afford them to prevent radiant heat loss through window glass. According to Michael Lamb of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Clearinghouse, double-paned windows reduce energy loss by 20 percent annually.
- 6). Clean your furnace according to your owner's manual to keep it running efficiently. Tape any holes in the ductwork leading away from the unit using duct tape.
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