While I cannot definitively say winter is here, temperatures have dropped below freezing the past few nights here in northern New England. If you have not done so, now is the time to start preparing your homes and apartments for the upcoming season. Curtis Hamilton, Goodwill’s Director of Propery Management and resident “Good Green” expert, has put together some tips to help you keep the heat in and the cold out.
Also, check out this great post I read today about easy and smart ways keep yourself warm all winter long.
Preparing for Winter: Tips on Reducing Heating Costs
First, turn down the thermostat—there is not much difference between 67 and 70 degrees. Every degree you are willing to turn down saves about 1% on your total heating costs. The Department of Energy advises turning down your thermostat to 55 degrees at night. These two practices alone have the potential to save you about $20 per month on your bill.
Second, for rooms not used often, turn the thermostat down to 55 degrees. Make sure that the unused rooms do not go below 55 degrees or you may be calling a plumber for broken pipes.
Third, save money and be GREEN at the same time! Following are some tips on how to increase the efficiency of your electric hot water heater:
1. Take shorter showers (yes, your mother was right). One practice she was wrong about, however, is needing hot water to get your hands clean. This is not true—it is soap that kills bacteria, not warm water. Wash your hands with cold water and save some money.
2. Check the setting on your heater. It should not be any higher than 110-115 degrees. You will risk being scalded if you go higher and you are also wasting money.
3. Call your electric company and ask for an insulating blanket for your water heater. Many companies offer them free of charge or for a low cost. An insulating blanket will slow down the rate at which water cools when not being used.
4. If your water heater is close to 10 years old, consider replacing it with a tankless (also called “on demand”) water heater. It requires 220 volts (compared to 110 volts for a standard hot water heater), but only when you are using the hot water. You do not need to worry about keeping 40 gallons of water hot all the time. They cost about $500 and will heat water for an average size house. For more information, please visit www.etankless.com.
