Friday, March 02, 2018

Furnaces and boilers account for 65 percent of home natural gas use, according to Dominion Energy Ohio. These simple tips can help conserve energy, maximize comfort and minimize monthly bills:

Save Money by Degrees. Customers can save anywhere from 10 to 15 percent on annual heating costs by setting the thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 58 degrees Fahrenheit at night, or when the resident is at work or away for an extended period.

Clean or Replace Furnace Filters. Check furnace air filters once a month during the heating season. If they become clogged, clean or replace them with new filters.

Caulk Around. Use inexpensive caulking around the fireplace mantle, inside windows and storm windows, electrical receptacle boxes, exhaust fan openings, pipes leading to bathroom fixtures, mortar cracks in chimneys and cracks in basement walls. Be sure to caulk around areas where the foundation meets the first floor plate and basement windows.

Seal Off Drafts Around Windows. Tape thin sheets of plastic to inside window frames with masking tape.

Draft Stoppers. Block off drafts at the bottom of doors with a rolled up rug or bath towel. You can also make a long, narrow bean bag to fit against the bottom of the door.

Switch Off Drafts. To seal off drafts, apply self-adhesive foam strips to the back of wall plates for electrical outlets and switches.

Weather Stripping. Here's a card trick: If a playing card fits in the crevice of an outside door, you need more weather stripping.

Source: Dominion Energy Ohio

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