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Heating
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The holiday chill is in the air, but there are ways to warm your home without seeing a spike in your electricity bill. Did you know in the winter months, it’s best to set your thermostat to 70° F or lower? Each degree above 70° F can increase your heating costs by as much as 3-5% per degree.
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Go to:
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Holiday heating tips

Lower your thermostat and let your heater have a cool down
- Lower your thermostat a few degrees if you are expecting a lot of visitors because a crowd can quickly heat up the room.
- Snuggle up to a hot water bottle to give you the extra warmth at night.
- Let a programmable thermostat help you lower your home energy bill by automatically adjusting the temperature based on a schedule you set. Proper use could reduce heating and cooling costs by $100 a year, on average.
Take advantage of the winter sunlight to add warmth to your house
- Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill.
- Place a dark rug in sunny areas of your house during the day to absorb the sun's heat.
- Consider installing tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that still feel drafty after weatherizing.
Help lower your winter costs by using your fireplace efficiently
- Build a fire in your fireplace and close the chimney flue when you're done, so heated air won't escape.
- Open dampers in the bottom of the firebox or open the nearest window slightly (about one inch) and close doors leading into the room (lowering your thermostat setting to between 50° and 55°F).
- Invest in c-shaped metal tube grates, which draw cool air into the fireplace and circulate warm air into the room.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
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Are electric furnaces energy efficient?
Electric furnaces are expensive to operate compared to other heating choices
and have a life expectancy of anywhere from 10 to 30 years. A thermostat
controls the electric furnace and uses heat strips and an air handling system
to supply heat to the home.
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What is the most energy-efficient setting for my heater?
In the winter months, it’s best to set your thermostat to 70° F or lower. Each degree above 70° can increase your heating costs by as much as 3–5%.
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|
What is the most energy-efficient way to heat a home?
We recommend heating your home with a natural gas furnace, preferably one with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of 80% or higher. Operating costs for a gas furnace are relatively low and are comparable to an electric heat pump. If the gas furnace is located in a room below the ceiling insulation, be sure to provide proper venting through a ducted opening to the outside.
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Take the ENERGY STAR home tour
 |
Take a room-by-room tour of ENERGY STAR @ home and learn what you can do to save energy, money and help protect the environment.
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Cook up some holiday memories
Spread the holiday cheer in your kitchen while keeping costs low.
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| |
Brighten your holidays
Check out ways to save on holiday lighting.
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|
Heating
|
|
|

The holiday chill is in the air, but there are ways to warm your home without seeing a spike in your electricity bill. Did you know in the winter months, it’s best to set your thermostat to 70° F or lower? Each degree above 70° F can increase your heating costs by as much as 3-5% per degree.
|
|
Go to:
|
|
Holiday heating tips

Lower your thermostat and let your heater have a cool down
- Lower your thermostat a few degrees if you are expecting a lot of visitors because a crowd can quickly heat up the room.
- Snuggle up to a hot water bottle to give you the extra warmth at night.
- Let a programmable thermostat help you lower your home energy bill by automatically adjusting the temperature based on a schedule you set. Proper use could reduce heating and cooling costs by $100 a year, on average.
Take advantage of the winter sunlight to add warmth to your house
- Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill.
- Place a dark rug in sunny areas of your house during the day to absorb the sun's heat.
- Consider installing tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that still feel drafty after weatherizing.
Help lower your winter costs by using your fireplace efficiently
- Build a fire in your fireplace and close the chimney flue when you're done, so heated air won't escape.
- Open dampers in the bottom of the firebox or open the nearest window slightly (about one inch) and close doors leading into the room (lowering your thermostat setting to between 50° and 55°F).
- Invest in c-shaped metal tube grates, which draw cool air into the fireplace and circulate warm air into the room.
|
|
|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions:
|
|
Are electric furnaces energy efficient?
Electric furnaces are expensive to operate compared to other heating choices
and have a life expectancy of anywhere from 10 to 30 years. A thermostat
controls the electric furnace and uses heat strips and an air handling system
to supply heat to the home.
|
|
What is the most energy-efficient setting for my heater?
In the winter months, it’s best to set your thermostat to 70° F or lower. Each degree above 70° can increase your heating costs by as much as 3–5%.
|
|
What is the most energy-efficient way to heat a home?
We recommend heating your home with a natural gas furnace, preferably one with an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of 80% or higher. Operating costs for a gas furnace are relatively low and are comparable to an electric heat pump. If the gas furnace is located in a room below the ceiling insulation, be sure to provide proper venting through a ducted opening to the outside.
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
Take the ENERGY STAR home tour
 |
Take a room-by-room tour of ENERGY STAR @ home and learn what you can do to save energy, money and help protect the environment.
|
| |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
Cook up some holiday memories
Spread the holiday cheer in your kitchen while keeping costs low.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Brighten your holidays
Check out ways to save on holiday lighting.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|