Many American households rely on electricity and natural gas for their everyday needs. As winter approaches, finding ways to save energy while maintaining safety and comfort can be a challenge. In celebration of National Energy Awareness Month, we’re delighted to share some simple yet effective ways to make your home more efficient.
Energy Awareness Month is a worldwide campaign aimed at promoting electricity conservation and helping lower household fuel consumption. By doing our part, we can contribute to a more sustainable future and enjoy potential savings on our utility bills. Follow these tips to stay cozy and environmentally responsible this winter and all year long.
Layer Up
Instead of cranking up the thermostat, consider adding an extra layer of clothing or cozying up under a blanket. Dressing warmly not only keeps you comfortable but also helps reduce the need for excessive heating.
Let the Sun In
Take advantage of natural heat sources by keeping your curtains open and blinds raised during daylight hours. The sun can provide free warmth to your home, reducing the reliance on your heating system.
Zone Control
Focus your heating efforts on the rooms you use most frequently. Close doors and vents in unoccupied areas to prevent heat from unnecessarily escaping into unused spaces.
Ceiling Fan Hack
Make your ceiling fan work for you in winter. Reverse its direction to push warm air down, effectively distributing heat throughout the room and improving overall comfort.
Unblock Vents
Ensure proper heat circulation by clearing any obstructions from your vents. Sometimes, furniture or dust can impede airflow. Consider using vent deflectors or extenders if repositioning furniture isn’t an option.
Fireplace Efficiency
If you’re not using your fireplace, keep the damper tightly closed. An open damper can allow warm air to escape and cold air to enter, essentially wasting energy.
Leave Your Oven Door Open
Cooking generates a lot of heat. Why let it go to waste? After you’re done, leave the oven door open a crack and let the warm air seep out into your kitchen.
Seal Windows & Doors
Poorly sealed doors and windows can raise your energy costs as much as 25-30 percent. The easiest way to determine whether your window’s leaking air is to hold your hand up to the frame. If you feel a draft, there’s probably a gap you need to seal. Plugging it with caulk is the simplest and most effective solution.
Poorly sealed doors are an even bigger problem. Besides sneaking in through cracks in the frame, cold air can also seep in under the door. So, in addition to sealing the door frame, be sure to add some weatherstripping to the bottom of the door as well. Like caulk, it’s a cheap and effective solution.
Reset Your Water Heater
Your water heater consumes as much, if not more, energy than your furnace. Most water heaters are set to 140°F, but lowering it to 120°F saves a considerable amount of energy without any noticeable effects. Showers feel just as warm. Clothes and dishes are as clean, but at a significantly lower cost.
Turn Down Your Thermostat
Lowering the temperature on your thermostat, even a few degrees, has a huge impact on your energy bill. The US Department of Energy recommends keeping it at 68°F during the day and 65°F at night, though if you can lower it by 7-10 degrees for at least eight hours (during work or school, for instance), you’ll see even greater savings.
Purchasing a smart thermostat can help immensely in this regard. It automates your heating schedule. You can program it to lower temperatures at night or while you’re out of the house. It can even be adjusted remotely, through your smartphone.
Saving Money On Repairs With Agway
At Agway, we don’t just power your home; we protect it too. Every Agway customer receives EnergyGuardTM as a standard benefit, protecting their essential systems from sudden and expensive breakdowns.
When something goes wrong with their furnace, Agway customers don’t waste time shivering, waiting for the repairman to arrive. They call us instead. We schedule the repair and handle the cost of parts and labor. There are no service fees, deductibles, or out-of-pocket expenses on covered items. Click to learn more and become an Agway customer!
