Save Energy this Winter: Prepare Now!

Start with your heating system

The typical New Hampshire household will spend around $3000 to heat their home this winter.

There are a lot of things you and your family can do right now to reduce those heating bills as much as 20 percent or more with simple actions that don't cost too much.

Lower your thermostat

Every degree you lower the thermostat reduces your fuel costs by about two percent. Keeping your home at 68 degrees in the winter, rather than 73 degrees will typically save about 10 percent in fuel bills.

Lowering the temperature even further when the house is empty or when everyone is sleeping will also reduce your heating bill. If you keep forgetting to lower the temperature manually, a programmable thermostat can help. ("Set it and forget it.") These cost about $50 but will pay for themselves in the first heating season.

There's a common misconception that it takes more energy to raise the temperature of a previously unoccupied home to a comfortable range than it does to maintain that temperature consistently regardless of whether the home is occupied or not. This simply isn't true. If no one is going to be home, turn the heat down; you'll save.

Have your heating system professionally serviced

Having your heating system cleaned and serviced regularly could reduce your fuel costs by 10 percent or more. Getting your system professionally serviced now reduces the likelihood of needing emergency service come January. As a general rule, oil systems should be cleaned and serviced annually, while gas systems should be serviced every other year.

The service technician should:

• Make sure the pilot light (if you have one) and thermostat are working correctly.


• Check the fuel pipe and heating exchanger for cracks or leaks.


• Test the efficiency of your heating system (how effectively your furnace or boiler converts fuel to heat).

Since all conventional heating systems produce carbon monoxide as a byproduct of combustion, getting your system checked is a safety issue, too.

Change the filter in a forced hot-air system monthly during the heating season to help keep the system at peak efficiency. Most homeowners can change the filters themselves.

Consider a new heating system

If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, consider replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR-qualified heating system. These models use 6 percent to 15 percent less fuel than non-ENERGY STAR systems. Visit the ENERGY STAR Web site for a list of retailers and qualifying models.

Seal those air leaks

You wouldn't leave a window open all winter long, but small air leaks around windows, doors, pipes, recessed lighting, and electrical outlets can cause an equivalent loss of heat. Sealing air leaks can reduce your heating bills by 10 percent to 20 percent and possibly more depending on specific conditions in your home. Here's how:

• Seal door leaks with weather-stripping or a door sweep; seal window leaks with caulking. Rope caulk is an effective alternative to cartridge caulking and can be easily removed in the spring.


• Most heat loss occurs as warm air rises and exits the house through gaps around the chimney or attic, while also drawing cold outside air in through cracks in the basement and foundation (home airflow schematic). Pay particular attention to the attic hatch or pull-down stairs and to any interior-wall top plates in the attic, as these areas are frequently leaky.


• Exterior points such as bulkhead doors and the spaces around pipes where they enter your house (called plumbing penetrations) can also let in cold air and should be sealed.


• Another significant source of air leaks is ductwork that extends throughout the house. Several studies have indicated that sealing ductwork alone can result in an average annual savings in heating bills of 17 percent. Seal ductwork joints with high-quality foil tape or mastic paste. Despite the name, duct tape doesn't work well. Avoid it.

Homes do need to "breathe." Harmful flu gases from the heating system and mold can accumulate in homes without adequate ventilation. Most New Hampshire homes have adequate airflow. In fact, most homes in our state should have their airflow reduced. A blower-door test can determine if you have sufficient ventilation.

"Seal tight and ventilate right" should be the guiding principle when it comes to sealing air leaks. The trick: making sure your home doesn't lose valuable heat but does provide enough fresh air to maintain good indoor air quality. You can have both.

Make sure your home is adequately insulated

Sufficient insulation in your attic, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces can reduce your heating costs by as much as 25 percent. The Department of Energy has recommendations for insulation; consult their guide if you're not sure if your home is adequately insulated.

Generally speaking, attics are the most cost-effective area to insulate. Also insulate heating ducts (especially in unheated areas such as attic crawl spaces). Since many ducts are hidden and not easily accessible, you may need to hire a professional to seal and insulate your ductwork.

Insulate all hot water heating pipes and domestic hot water pipes with foam tubing insulation. Consider adding an external insulating jacket to your hot water heater if your water heater's factory-installed insulation is less than R-15. You can purchase an insulating jacket at your local hardware store for around $20.

Insulate water heaters carefully (especially gas fired heaters) following the manufacturer's guidelines. It's important not to obstruct the top, bottom, thermostat, and burner compartment (if applicable) of the water heater.

Clean and unblock radiators and baseboards

Dirt, dust, and pet fur all reduce the effectiveness of the radiators and baseboards that distribute heat. Clean these elements regularly and make sure furniture and drapes don't inhibit the air flow.

Check the chimney

Closing the chimney and fireplace dampers when not in use will prevent drafts and a loss of heat. (Learn more about chimneys.)

Have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually. Oil, propane, natural gas, and wood all produce carbon monoxide when burned to produce heat. House fires can also result, so its important to test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home regularly to ensure they're fully operational.

Note however, that carbon monoxide detectors may not be as reliable as smoke detectors. Your best defense against carbon monoxide poisoning is still regular cleaning and inspection of all heating system elements.

Heat your home with wood

Using wood from sustainably managed New Hampshire forests can make economic and environmental sense this winter. As heating oil prices have increased, so have the prices of cordwood and wood pellets, but they remain more economical than fuel oil.

Considering the energy content of both fuels, if heating oil is $4.00/gallon, you could afford to pay more than $500 a cord for seasoned hardwood and $470 per ton for wood pellets to get an equivalent amount of heat.

Of course, wood burning has special safety considerations and requires you to invest some of your own time and energy. See Heating with Wood for more information on using wood efficiently and safely this heating season.

New windows (or not)

If you want or need new windows, purchasing Energy STAR windows can reduce your heating bills.

New windows are expensive, however, and most homeowners can achieve significant savings through less-costly options such as storm windows, plastic sheeting applied to the interior of a window (with a hair dryer), and tight-fitting shades or cellular blinds.

On sunny winter days, open window shades on south-facing windows to maximize solar heat gain. Close these shades after dark to minimize heat loss.