Energy saving tips for when it’s cold outside

When it’s cold outside, you want your home to be warm and cozy inside. Here are some great suggestions to help save energy while keeping warm this winter.

Keep your furnace in good working order

Make sure your furnace is clean and properly adjusted. An inefficient furnace wastes energy.

• Check the air filter regularly; replace it when it looks dirty or at minimum once every three months. A dirty air filter reduces the air flow, making your furnace work harder.
• For the long term, keeping up the maintenance on your furnace will extend its life and prevent costly repairs or replacements down the road.
• Consider purchasing an Energy Star-rated furnace.

Use a programmable thermostat

Manage the temperature of your home without even giving it a thought! This is an excellent energy-saving idea for those who are away from their homes for an extended period of time.

• Set your thermostat four or five degrees Celsius lower at night when everyone is sleeping or during the day when no one is home.
• For comfort, kick back to normal 30 to 60 minutes before getting up in the morning or returning home at night.

Check your windows and doors

Leaks and drafts from windows and doors can be a huge waste of energy.

• Check for leaks by feeling for a draft or by looking for a strip of daylight creeping through the seals of windows and doors. Then, apply a sealant or caulk around the sills or frames to seal them tightly. Check the weather stripping around exterior doors, windows and garage doors and add or replace if they are in ill repair.
• Cover your windows with plastic window-insulation film to prevent heat loss. This is an inexpensive option available at your local home improvement store.
• Keep windows and doors locked or latched shut, to reduce drafts.
• Fit your home with proper blinds. A well-fitted blind acts as insulation for your windows. Keep them closed at night but open the blinds on south-facing windows during the day, to allow the sun to heat your home.
• Consider installing storm doors and windows.

Other ideas

• Lower the thermostat a degree or two and bundle up. Put on sweater or tuck into a blanket and start saving.
• Close the damper in your wood-burning fireplace when not in use.
• Clear furniture away from heat vents to improve the warm air flow.

More energy saving ideas

Ten things you can do to save money on energy costs
5 Sneaky home savings
Energy cost checklist: Are you really saving money?