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Turn your furnace down slightly. Even one degree can make a big difference. Also, avoid heating areas that are not insulated, such as a garage, crawlspace, attic or storage sheds.
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Dress warmly when indoors. Lower your thermostat by two degrees. You could save as much as four per cent on your heating bill. Turn your heat down at night and throw on an extra blanket.
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Turn off heat in unused rooms and shut the doors. Heading out for a while? Turn the heat down to save energy.
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Keep the heat in the house by closing the curtains in the evening. Yep, even this can make a difference. Also, throw down a rug on exposed floors. Not only will it insulate, it will cut down on noise as well.
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Just changing dirty filters on your furnace could save you up to five per cent on your heating bill. Also, install a furnace alarm. This will tell you when to change filters to keep your furnace working efficiently.
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Call 1-800-266-3939 to sign up for our filter replacement program
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Check doors for proper insulation. Place your hand against a door from the inside. If it feels cooler than the inside walls, it might be time to install a door that’s better insulated.
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Adding a humidifier to your heating system lets you turn the thermostat down and be comfortable at lower temperatures. Aquariums and houseplants add humidity, too.
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Did you know that heat recovery ventilators improve indoor air quality by expelling stale indoor air continuously and using its heat to preheat the incoming fresh air? Installing one of these may give you the added savings you’re looking for on your next energy bill.
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Change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fan. For those colder months, the blades should operate in a clockwise direction, helping to push the warm air from the ceiling down into the room. In the summer, the blades should operate in a counter clockwise direction as a way of creating a nice, gentle wind.
Buy a ceiling fan now
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Seal all leaks around doors, windows, and electrical outlets. Heat from your home escapes out of these cracks. By sealing the leaks you can save up to 20 per cent on your heating bill and the cost of materials is under $20.
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Make sure your heating vents aren’t blocked by furniture or drapes and the dampers are open. Vacuum out dust and pet hair from warm air registers and cold air returns so your furnace runs more efficiently.
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If you are thinking of replacing your furnace, consider getting one that’s rated 90 per cent or higher in efficiency. Replacing your old furnace with a new, more energy efficient one can save up to 30 per cent of your heating costs. Remember to look for the ENERGY STAR® label.
Buy a new furnace
Maintain your furnace
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Windows and Insulation |
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Install covers on letterboxes and/or keyholes to reduce indoor drafts.
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Open the drapes or blinds on sunny days and bask in the ‘free’ heat. Keep those south-facing windows squeaky clean to let the light through. Remember to close the drapes or blinds when the sun sets to keep the heat in.
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Is your insulation up to par? For a minimal cost, you can upgrade the insulation in your exterior walls, crawlspaces, basements and attics. Insulation may come in batts or loose fill, which can be blown into place and get those hard to reach places. To find out if you have enough attic insulation, measure its thickness. If there is less than R-22 (7 inches of fiberglass or rock wool, or 6 inches of cellulose), look into adding more And, while you’re at it, insulate your attic door or hatch at the same time.
3D Animation
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If your home was built after 1940, you probably have cavity walls. Have them filled with insulation, which could help you save money every year on heating and cooling.
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Consider upgrading the windows in your home. Select high efficiency windows with low-e coatings, argon gas fill and insulated spacers.
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It’s also time to remove the window air conditioners for the winter. If they must stay in place, be sure to seal them with caulking or tape and cover them with an airtight, insulated jacket.
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