During colder months, heating is often the number one energy expense for many people. In fact, heating your home can account for more than half of your total monthly natural gas bill, if you have a natural gas furnace (over 90% of furnaces are fueled by natural gas). Heating can total over 40% of your electric bill, if your heating system is electric.
You can always save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your heating equipment. Insulation, air sealing, and simple thermostat re-setting could lower your energy costs by as much as 30% while also reducing environmental emissions.
Here are some more tips to lower your home heating costs:
- Program your thermostat lower in the winter when you’re sleeping or away from home.
- Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as recommended.
- Keep warm-air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators clean and clear of furniture, carpeting and drapes.
- Eliminate trapped air from hot-water radiators every season; seek a professional’s help if necessary.
- Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and radiators.
- Turn off kitchen, bath and other exhaust fans after you are done cooking or bathing.
- When replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.
- During winter, open draperies and shades on your south-facing windows during the day to let sunlight in your home, and close them at night to retain the heat.
You can shop, compare prices and purchase energy-efficient products – all within the SDG&E Marketplace at marketplace.sdge.com. #DoYourThing
