Energy-Saving Tips for Heating Your Home

Home heating costs represent about 49% of energy usage in American homes. The other 51% is attributed to household appliances, lighting and water heating.

Take these steps to save energy and money at home:

Service your heating system every year. It's well worth the $85-$100 cost to clean the unit and change filters in both the furnace and humidifier.
Install a programmable thermostat. Program it to lower the temperature while you're at work or sleeping and save up to 30% in a well insulated home.
Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees. Better yet, switch to a tank-less water heater so there's no stored water that needs to be continuously heated. They're priced a little more than the standard 50-gallon tank heater but you'll recoup the cost in just three years.
Insulate your hot water heater, hot water pipes and heating ducts.
Wash full loads of laundry in cold water.
Use fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent.
Cook in the microwave rather than the regular oven.
Run your dishwasher only when it's full and use the air-dry feature.
Install low-flow shower head and faucets.
Add weather stripping around doors and windows. You could save as much as 20% on heating costs with just a $25 investment.
Run ceiling fans slowly and in reverse to circulate the warm air, keep you more comfortable, and reduce the amount of time your furnace runs.
Install thermo-pane windows and increase your home's energy efficiency up to 70%.
Insulate your ceilings and attic with at least (R-30) rated insulation.
Upgrade to “Energy Star” labeled appliances. The Department of Energy and EPA have deemed these products to be energy efficient.

Many of these suggestions are easy and inexpensive to implement. Others may require more up-front cost, but they'll pay off year after year. NWFCU's low-rate, tax-deductible* home equity loan is the perfect solution, and won't put the freeze on all the money you'll be saving.

Sources: Tips compiled from the U.S. Department of Energy, Alliance to Save Energy, Edison Electric Institute, Project Energy Savers, National Energy Assistance Directors' Association and Consolidated Edison.

*Consult your tax advisor for details.