Saving energy might not be as difficult as you think
You could be well on your way to saving money and lessening your impact on the environment this winter by making a few simple changes:
* Reduce your home’s average temperature by a degree or two. You obviously don’t want to make your house too chilly for you or your guests, but this is a case where a little can go a long way. For each degree, you may be able to save 1 percent on your heating bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Over the whole winter, that 1 or 2 percent can amount to quite a bit in actual savings.
* Consider a programmable thermostat. This allows you to set the heat at a lower temperature while you are at work or while you sleep, and then program the thermostat to reach comfortable levels before you arrive home in the evening or get up in the morning.
* Seal places where heat could escape. Some strategic caulking and weather stripping can go a long way toward bringing your heating costs way down; the Department of Energy says properly sealing your home can reduce costs by 20 percent. Using duct sealant to close up any exposed heating or cooling ducts can also offer significant savings.
* Keep curtains open during the day to let in natural heat energy. Keep them closed at night to provide extra insulation around your windows…
Read the original article at mnsun
