How to Lower Winter Heating Bills | New York State Energy Coalition
- Sunshine! Windows on the south side of a building get the most sunlight. Eastern windows get sunlight in the morning. West facing windows receive sunlight in the afternoon. Open shades and drapes during the daytime to let the sun's warmth in, and close them when the sun goes down.
- Close your kitchen vent, fireplace damper and closet doors when not in use.
- Remove air conditioning window units, or cover them well.
- Keep radiators free of dust for top efficiency.
- According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save as much as 10% a year on their heating and cooling bills by simply turning the thermostat back by 10 to 15 degrees.
- Wrap your pipes, to guard against heat loss and prevent them from freezing.
- Avoid using space heaters. They're expensive to operate and can be dangerous.
- Check your threshold for any gaps between it and the door. Use a bottom seal that can be attached to the bottom of the door. It should brush up against the floor to seal up the threshold and eliminate drafts.
- Get a heating system tune-up. It will ensure you get maximum performance from every drop of Bioheat® fuel burned.
- Make sure you have good insulation in exterior walls, ceilings with cold spaces above, and floors with cold spaces below.
- Change the windows. Consider new low-emissivity glass that will decrease radiant heat loss without lowering visibility.
- Upgrade your fuel burner -- a modern burner can cut costs by 15%.