Weekly Money Savings Tips: Home Heating

Believe it or not, every household loses heat during the winter which results in money lost. The graph at the right shows how we lose our heat. Take steps to prevent heat loss and save some money.

1) First, test your home for air tightness. On a windy day, carefully hold a lit incense stick or a smoke pen next to your windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, electrical outlets, ceiling fixtures, attic hatches, and other locations where there is a possible air path to the outside. If the smoke stream travels horizontally, you have located an air leak that may need caulking, sealing, or weatherstripping.

2) Seal the gaps. Leaky ducts can account for more than 20% of your heating bill. Use caulk or weather-strip gaskets around windows, attic doors, and baseboards. You can use foil tape around furnace ducts.

3) Clean your furnace. An annual maintenance routine can help your heating system run more efficiently. Vacuum dust and check for loose parts.

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