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Tips For Efficient Heating
Crisp autumn days bring with them colder, longer nights and the inevitable start of the heating season.
Typically, almost half of all the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. There’s still time to make some improvements around the house that will help your heating system work as efficiently as possible this season.
The most important step at the beginning of each season is to have your heating equipment inspected, cleaned and adjusted by a qualified technician. It’s also a good idea to have your chimney cleaned and flue pipes inspected. That way, you’ll be assured the entire system is operating at peak efficiency and that any issues needing attention are addressed.
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Remember to clean registers, baseboard heaters and radiators as needed throughout the season. Dust can block airflow and act as an insulator, causing your system to run less efficiently. Making sure furniture and draperies are not blocking the flow of heated air into the room is another easy, important step.
If your system heats by circulating hot water throughout the house, I recommend you consider insulating the water pipes to help reduce heat loss. Specially-made foam tubes are available at most hardware and home supply stores.
Systems that heat with hot air use a network of ducts to carry the heated air throughout the house. Ducts that leak heated air into unheated spaces can greatly increase your heating bills, so insulating them is usually very cost effective. Best to hire a qualified professional to inspect, seal and insulate the ducts using appropriate materials.
There comes a time when adjusting and repairing an old, inefficient heating system is no longer safe or cost effective. NSTAR Gas customers can receive up to $1,000 toward the purchase and installation of a new system by taking advantage of our High-Efficiency Heating Equipment Rebate Program. NSTAR Electric customers can receive up to $500 in rebates toward a new, efficient oil or propane heating system after participating in a MassSAVE energy assessment. More information is available by clicking on "Energy Efficiency" in the left-hand side menu above.
Join me next month when I’ll discuss ways to seal your home from air leaks that are wasting your heating dollars.
Bill Stack is a Residential Program Manager in NSTAR's energy efficiency department. He can be reached by emailing brightideas@nstar.com. If you're a member of the media and would like to arrange an interview with Bill, please call Caroline Allen (617-424-2460) or Mike Durand (508-441-5831).
