Tips & Resources

Lower your water heater to 120°. You’ll still have plenty of hot water.

In the winter, make the most of sunlight by opening window coverings on south-facing windows to help warm your home.

Do more loads of laundry with cold water.

Replace your furnace filter regularly. Furnace filters can easily be replaced monthly during heating season.

Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.

Weatherize your home by weather-stripping doors and sealing windows. That's where you're most likely to find holes to the outside.

Invest in a programmable thermostat that turns your heat down when you're not home.

Add more insulation. The attic and basement are the easiest places to begin.

Purchase a high efficiency heating system and water heater.

Upgrade your furnace or boiler to a new high efficiency model. New technology boots efficiency of some models to 95% or more. Many older models are less than 80% efficient.

Upgrade your water heater to a new high efficiency model.

Install storm windows and doors.

Lower your heat to 55 when you are going away for several days.

Keep fireplace dampers closed until you are ready to use them.

Have your heating system checked annually.

Close heating registers in seldom used rooms.

Only use water when necessary while doing dishes, washing up, brushing teeth or shaving.

Taking short showers instead of baths.

Wrap the hot water pipes coming out of your water heater with insulation.

Load dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers to capacity, without overloading.

Don't peek in the oven as you cook.