York County Community Action - Maine

       Save Money on Heat
   Without Spending a Penny!

  Lots of energy saving tips have you spend money on insulation, energy efficient appliances and other things that cost money. If you have the money to do that, go for it! But many people don't, so here are some things you can do that won't cost you anything and will help you save money on your electric bill.  You may not notice a big savings at first, but over time it can make real difference.

1. Turn the Heat Down and Put on a Sweater!  It's cheaper to heat your body than to run your furnace. Each 1 degree lower equals about a 3% annual savings. Turning it back a little farther at night and when you are away saves even more!

2. Be Heat Smart! If you want heat, raise the setting on the thermostat slowly and stop when you hear the furnace start. There's no need to overdue it, sometimes a little blast of heat is all you need.

3. Close Curtains and Shades! This keeps the heat in. This is especially important at night when it's colder outside and you have turned the heat down. During the day open curtains and shades, especially on the south side. Let the sun shine in and warm you up!

4. Shut Off Areas You Are Not Using! Small families living in large homes can save a lot by shutting off rooms they don't use.  How much you save depends on how big the room is compared to the rest of the house and how well it is sealed off. Be careful not to freeze pipes!

5. Close Closet Doors! Heating the closet is not necessary, so keep the closet doors closed. It's better to keep the heat in the room where you need it.

6. Shut the Door! The average open door makes a 21 square-foot hole in the wall. You save fuel if you are quick about entering and leaving. Also, when you are leaving, make sure you have everything (keys, handbag, hat, gloves, etc.) so you only have to open and close the door once.

7. Open the Oven Door After You’re Done Cooking!  Give your kitchen a blast of heat.  When you are done baking or roasting, leave the door open and let the warm air warm you up!

8.  Close the Flue or Damper! Once your fireplace or woodstove is totally out-no glowing coals in the fireplace and the stove is cold to the touch, shut the flue or damper.

9. Clear and Clean Your Baseboards and Radiators! Make sure couches, bookshelves, drapes, etc are not blocking the baseboards and radiators making it difficult for the heat to get to the rest of the room. Dusting or vacuuming also helps the radiators and baseboards move the heat more easily.

10. Vacuum Your Furnace Filter!  A clean filter will help your furnace run more efficiently. Replace the filter when it cannot be vacuumed clean

The Power of Small Change
It All Adds Up!