Fall is finally showing its true colors here in The Ocean State, with temperatures dipping as the days get shorter and the heating bills begin to arrive. Want to keep those heating bills as low as possible? Here are some of the best ways to do it:
Button up – Air leaks from your windows and doors can cost you hundreds of dollars by forcing your furnace or boiler to overwork to keep you comfortable. Inexpensive measures like caulk weather sealing, and door sweeps are effective ways to keep warm air in and cold air out.
Make it automatic – Properly using a programmable thermostat can help you save 10 percent on your heating bills, says the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). As for temperature settings, shoot for 68 degrees to balance comfort and energy efficiency when people are home; drop the temperature 8-10 degrees when they aren’t.
Soak in that sun – Leave your curtains and blinds open during the day to absorb radiant heat from the sun – just make sure to close them at night to keep that precious heat in. Choosing better window treatments can help, too.
Insulate – Most homes in RI – especially older ones – are under-insulated. A one-time investment in proper insulation can cut your energy bills by up to 10 percent every year – more than enough to offset the cost of installation. Check out these DOE insulation tips and guidelines.
Choose a cold water wash – Today’s detergents work equally well on cold and warm settings, so skip the warm wash and you’ll reduce your water heating burden by about 25 gallons per load.
Go for that ounce of prevention – Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your heating systems and other equipment operating at peak efficiency month after month, year after year. The sooner you get it, the sooner you’ll enjoy the benefits of professional heating system service.
…or go straight for the upgrade – Most of today’s high efficiency oil-fired heating equipment performs significantly better than older equipment – especially if that equipment hasn’t been properly maintained. If you’re replacing a 10-year-old heating system, your energy bill might drop 25 percent or more – enough to offset the investment in a new unit in just a few years.
Spread it out – Sign up for our Smart Pay budget plan and you could cut your winter energy bills in half – great news around holiday time.
