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- Warm your house naturally. Let sunlight in during the day by opening shades, particularly on the south and west sides of the house. Close the shades at night to keep the warmth in.
- Keep your thermostat set at as low a temperature as is comfortable. Experts recommend 68 degrees F. Every degree below that lowers your bill by 1-3%.
- Keep your thermostat setting constant during the day and lower it at night. Frequent cycling of your furnace wastes energy.
- A programmable thermostat can lower your heating costs by as much as 20% and pay for itself during the first year.
- Seal the leaks in your house: whistling windows and doors, utility cut-throughs for pipes, electric outlets, gaps around chimneys, recessed lights, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets suck dollars right out of your pocket.
- Consider replacing single-pane windows with energy-efficient ones. In cold climates, the savings can be considerable.
- Consider hiring an energy auditor. A penny's worth of expertise and a good blower door can save you dollars in the long run.
- Clean or replace furnace filters once a month.
- Leaks are a fact of life. Insulate all air ducts and pipes and save 10% instantly.
- Check the insulation on exterior walls and in your attic. Bring it up to adequate levels.
- Don't pay to heat areas you're not using. Close the heating vents in unoccupied rooms and save 5-10%.
- Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators. Keep drapes, carpeting, and furniture from obstructing the flow of warm air into rooms.
- Think twice before you turn on a portable heater. A typical one draws 1500W and can cost you more than $100 per month.
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