Some Easy Ways to Save on Home Heating

Now that we are entering peak heating season, it’s the right time to instill good habits to save energy.  Besides turning down the thermostat, wearing heavier clothes, and using warmer blankets, proper management of window treatments and heating vents can add up to significant savings.

• Even the best windows do not insulate as well as insulated walls.  Therefore, during heating season the window treatments should remain closed with two exceptions:  1) to allow direct sunlight to enter your home, to leverage the  greenhouse effect (if you have a lot of southern-facing windows, this alone can keep your house comfortable on a cold, sunny day);  2) to allow natural light to enter your home, to avoid using artificial light while people are in a room. 

Window treatments should remain closed at all other times, to provide an extra layer of insulation. 

• If you have forced-air heat, the louvers of the vents should be angled downward.

• Always keep vents/baseboards closed in unused rooms.

• With most heating systems (with the exception of radiant heat), it will save energy to turn down the thermostat if you will not be home for a minimum of only two hours.

• If a heating vent (forced air or baseboard) is beneath a window, shades, not drapes should be used.  This is to avoid trapping heated air between the drape and the window, which is very wasteful. If you already have drapes that you want to keep, the vents behind or beneath them should remain closed when the drapes are closed, and preferably covered with a magnetic sheet or similar.

• If you are considering adding to or changing your window treatments, be advised that horizontal blinds provide the least insulation, compared to heavy shades or draperies.  Using both shades and drapes on a window is the best solution for efficiency (except in the above scenario).

Stay tuned for tips to save on A/C in the spring!