Winterize Your Home
Follow these low-cost and no-cost tips to keep your home heating costs as low as possible:
- Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to let the sun heat your home.
- Cover drafty windows from the inside with clear plastic sheeting or film.
- Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable when you are home and awake. When you’re asleep or out of the house, turn it back 10°–15°. A programmable thermostat makes it easy.
- Find air leaks around your home and seal them.
Schedule service for your heating system. If you have a furnace, replace the filter once a month or as needed. Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is going. When you use the fireplace, open dampers in the bottom of the firebox or open the nearest window about 1 inch and close doors leading into the room. If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). Learn more on lowering your energy costs, including energy audits, long-term investments and financial assistance.Related publication: