Tips to make your home more cozy, energy efficient against winter’s chill
Alabama News Center, December 2, 2015. Image credit: Paul Nicholson
A crackling fire in the fireplace is warm and welcoming, but fireplaces can allow a lot of heated air to escape up the chimney. A fireplace designed to provide heat eliminates the problem through a draft, which supplies the fire with outside air, instead of air from the room.
Step into more savings with these easy changes:
- Place the ceiling fan in reverse to distribute heated air from the ceiling to the room’s occupied areas.
- Prevent furniture, draperies or doors from blocking heating outlets or return air registers.
- On sunny days, leave curtains open to allow sunlight in, so the home will absorb the heat. Close the curtains on the shaded side of the house and at night.
- Use an electric blanket when sleeping, rather than heat the entire house all night.
- Set the thermostat at 68°F or lower, then forget it. Remind teens not to touch the thermostat. If you often reset the temperature during the day, you’re more likely to waste energy.
