Energy Saving Tips For Heating Season

Fall is in full swing here in Massachusetts, with peak colors arriving all over Greater Springfield and throughout New England. Soon, temperatures will be dropping – and heating bills will be rising.

Want to keep those bills as low as possible? Try these energy saving tips.

Home Efficiency Checklist

1. Use your windows to your advantage – Keep curtains open in sun-facing windows to absorb solar heat during the day, then close them once the sun goes down to retain that heat. Use insulated, dark-colored window treatments during the cold weather months, replacing light, reflective summer treatments.
2. Install a programmable thermostat – A programmable thermostat makes it easy to control temperatures and reduce your energy use. When you’re asleep or not home, dial your thermostat back five to seven degrees and you’ll save about 10 percent on your annual heating bills.
3. Seal windows and doors – More than 20 percent of the warm air produced by your furnace or boiler can escape through air leaks under windows and doors, around plumbing penetrations and chimneys, and in other places throughout your home – including your ductwork. A small investment of time and money (as little as $30) will more than pay for itself over the course of the heating season.
4. Add insulation – Adding insulation in your exterior walls, crawlspaces, basement and attic is one of the best bang-for-the-buck energy-saving moves you can make in your house. Upgrading from 3 to 12 inches in your attic alone can save you up to 10 percent on your home heating bills each month.
5. Change your furnace air filter regularly – A clogged air filter can make your furnace overwork to heat your home, which will raise your bills and you’re your heating system more likely to break down when you need it most. Check your air filter once a month during winter, replacing or cleaning it as needed (depending on the model).
6. Get professional heating service – An annual tune-up keeps your heating system running at peak efficiency and reduces the likelihood of repairs; it will also keep your warranty coverage in effect (hint: annual preventative maintenance is included in all of FSi’s Advantage and Value heating service plans, along with priority service, repair discounts, and more).
7. Replace older heating equipment – A boiler or furnace can last as long as 20 years, but that doesn’t mean you should keep it that long. A 15-year-old furnace could be operating at 60 percent efficiency – a far cry from the efficiency performance of modern furnaces, which can reach the upper 90s. Saving 35 cents per gallon of fuel adds up pretty quickly – often quickly enough to cover the replacement cost of the equipment in just a few years, especially when you factor in government and manufacturer rebates.

Considering an upgrade for your furnace or boiler? There’s still time to take advantage of deep rebates from Mass Save on professional heating installations by FSi!

Contact us today to learn how you can save thousands on expert heating equipment installation in Greater Springfield, MA!