Worried about high fuel prices? 

We're WITH you!

The best way to lower your heating costs is to prepare ahead and conserve.  Don't put your family and property at risk by ignoring or neglecting the problem.  The conservation tips below offer several practical and effective ways to reduce your energy use. 

When trying to stretch your heating dollars, please make safety your #1 priority. 
Click here for winter safety rules.

Money-Saving Tips and Investments

Below is a list of great tips and investments that we have found to work well. Some are easy to do, and others take a little more time, effort, and/or money. All of them will help you save money and stay comfortable year-round. 

Have your system tuned up annually. We'll adjust your unit to perform at maximum efficiency and correct any minor problems before they become big ones.
A tune-up can also extend the life of your equipment. Savings: 10%

Lower your thermostat.  Set it at 68º during the day and 62º at night, or when you are away.  Savings: about 3% per day for every degree your thermostat is turned down.

Install a programmable thermostat. It can help you control your fuel usage by turning down the heat automatically when you're asleep or not at home. Savings: 15%

Use natural heating.  Open the blinds and curtains in your house on sunny days to let the sun's rays warm your rooms. At night, close them to keep the heat inside. If you feel chilly, add a layer of clothing before turning the heat up.  (A loose-fitting wool or wool-blend sweater will usually do the trick.) Savings: 5-10%

Block drafts by placing door snakes (or rolled-up towels) across the bottom of doors that lead outdoors or to basements and attics.  Keep the damper on your fireplace closed when not in use. Savings: 5-10%

Don't block heat sources.  Arrange your furniture so that vents and radiators are not blocked. Savings: 5-10%

Close the vents in rooms you don't use.  This will direct more heat (or cooling) to the rooms you do use.

Keep closet doors closed unless it has a heat register.  Closets they may contain air leaks.  Closing closets also decreases the square footage to be heated.

When using your fireplace, open a nearby window about a half inch.  This will prevent warm air in other parts of the house from being pulled up the chimney. 

Caulk or weather-strip air leaks around doors, windows, or where plumbing and electrical wiring penetrate exterior walls, floors, ceilings. Install rubber gaskets behind “leaky” outlet and switch plates on exterior walls.  Savings: 20%

Hang insulating curtains or drapes. They can be closed at night to significantly lessen heat loss. In the summer, they can be closed to keep out unwanted heat. The best insulating drapes fit into tracks that are installed alongside the frame to keep air from passing around the edges. Savings: 5-10%

Upgrade your attic insulation. Find out what and how much insulation you currently have. Make sure it's the right thickness and material. You'll get the most payback from properly insulated attic floors.  Savings: 30%

Check the air ducts of your forced air system for holes and separations. Use duct tape that has the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) logo.  Savings: 10-15%

Insulate your hot water storage tanks and piping, being careful not to cover thermostats or burner compartments. Savings: 15%

Upgrade your old heating system with a modern high-efficiency unit.
Savings: 30% – 50%

Consider replacing your windows if you see any of the following:

• Rotted or damaged wood
• Cracked glass
• Missing putty
• Poorly fitted sashes (the panes rattle or the windows don't stay up when you open them)
• Non-working locks.

Savings: 30%

Click here for HELP for saving on electric heat, including heat pumps.

For more do-it-yourself maintenance suggestions click here.