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Staying Warm This Winter
For several months, we’ve been discussing ways to save energy and money throughout the year. Now that we’re into the coldest months of winter, I thought it would be helpful to dedicate a column to recapping those tips and programs that can increase comfort and cut heating bills.
There are many do-it-yourself steps folks can take to improve heating efficiency in their homes. Perhaps the easiest is to be sure that furniture and draperies are kept away from heating baseboards and vents. A clear path for the heated air to rise helps it to circulate efficiently throughout the room.
A ceiling fan, set on low and turning in the opposite direction from when it’s used for cooling, is another good way to circulate heated air. This is especially important for rooms with high ceilings. And for homes with old-fashioned radiators, placing a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall will reflect heat back into the room.
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There are many do-it-yourself steps folks can take to improve heating efficiency in their homes. |
Keeping south-facing draperies and shades open on sunny days will put natural radiant heat to work for you. The sun’s rays will warm the objects in the room and help maintain the warmer temperature longer than heated air alone.
Adjusting thermostats to a lower temperature is one of the most effective ways to save on heating costs and one that I’ve discussed at length. Programmable thermostats work well for this because they do it automatically.
For every degree you lower your thermostat during an eight hour period, you’ll save up to three percent on your heating bill. For those who spend $200 a month on heating, that's a savings of about $6 a month.
To see what programs and rebates are available to help you stay warm this winter, click on “Energy Efficiency” in the left-side menu above. You’ll find more energy saving tips, information about home energy assessments, thermostat and heating system rebates, and low-interest loans.
In my next column, I’ll discuss how appliances can affect your electric use and ways to reduce their impact.
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).
