Ten Ways to Save Energy This Winter

1.  It’s all about layers
Most homes built before 1980 lack some serious insulation.  And with bad insulation, your house can’t retain heat as it leaks out through the ceiling and into the atmosphere, not only literally leaving you in the cold but also wasting tons of energy. 

One of the best things you can do to prevent these things is to add an extra layer of insulation to your attic, which will serve as a great investment and cut your energy bill down noticeably.  According to the Department of Energy, as a general rule, if you have less than 11 to 12 inches of attic insulation, you probably need more.

2. It’s not just the heat
Humidity is a big factor in keeping your home nice and toasty.  If your furnace doesn’t have a built-in humidifier, pick up a few portable units for the most popular rooms in your house, like the bedroom, bathroom and living room.  Having some additional moisture will retain heat better, making a cool 65° F feel more like 74° F.  Generally, the humidity in your home should be between 20 percent and 40 percent.  If your windows start to sweat, decrease the humidity as the temperature outside gets cooler.

3. Bundle up!
Before running to the thermostat to turn up the heat, reach for a warm sweater and a nice pair of socks.  Wrap yourself up before racking up your energy bill from unnecessary heat.  Keep in mind: for each degree you increase your thermostat, your energy bill will increase by 3 percent.  Yowza!  Think of the money you could save by digging out your old high school band sweatshirt from the 90s or that Snuggie™ your grandmother bought you for Christmas.

4. Programmable thermostat: your wallet’s new BFF
Why keep your house warm when there’s no one home?  Purchasing a programmable thermostat will give you a way to time and automatically raise and lower your home’s temperature when you’re not there.  If used right, the programmable thermostat can save you about 10 percent on your energy bills.  Talk about ROI.

5. See the light
In Texas, the sun is often our worst enemy, but in the cold of winter, it can help in more ways than you think.  Even when it’s frigid outside, opening the blinds and shades of your house will let the sun’s rays in to maximize warmth.  If you want to go a step further, get your windows double-paned to seal off cold and let in warmth.

6. Plastic Wrap….. Your Windows?
Did you know that plastic clear film can keep you warm in the chilly months? Not everyone can afford to replace single-pane windows, but add a blow dryer and plastic film together for a toasty combination. Install the clear plastic film across the inside of your window and frame, and when heated with the blow dryer, becomes nearly invisible. The trapped pocket of air between the plastic film and window acts as an effective insulator, helping to reduce heat loss through the window by 25 percent to 50 percent.

7. Change Filters Frequently
I know we all don’t want to be the guy in Mary Poppins covered in soot, right? Cleaning the air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators as needed won’t do that, but it will improve on energy efficiency. Monthly, you can change forced air heating system air filter. Have you check out washable filters? They are roughly $20 apiece and can last as long as five years.

8. A Bit of Duct Tape Does Wonders
Air ducts can get cracks and holes, and warm air generated by a furnace often stays in the attic and basement (and no one lives up there!) Instead of grabbing that warm hoodie, use duct tape to repair and seal holes or sections that may have separated. If you are buying new ducts, go for the system that is already surrounded by insulation.

9. Caulk the Holes
The exterior of your house is the first thing that can protect your family against drafts, so use caulk, seal or weather-strip around all cracks, openings and seams.
Caulk the inside of your house as well around windows, door frames, electrical boxes and plumbing penetrations.

10. Shut off Unused Vents
Unless Aunt Myrtle is in town, there is no reason to have the vents open in the guest rooms. This will not only cut down your heating bills, but make your home more energy-efficient.

For more tips on energy usage, visit First Choice Power’s energy-efficient tips page or the U.S. Department of Energy’s Web site.