Heating tips for your home
Discover smart ways to use energy that are helping people throughout the Northwest save record levels of energy and
lower their energy bills. The more of these low and no-cost tips you follow, the more you'll save.
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees, and then turn it lower while you're asleep or away from home.
Turning the thermostat down 8-10 degrees for 8-10 hours per day can help you reduce your heating bill by
15-25%.
- Clean furnace filters monthly during the heating season and replace as needed. Forced-air furnace
filters trap dirt and dust, clean the air you breathe, and help the furnace operate more safely
and efficiently.
- Close curtains and blinds at night to keep more heat inside. Open them during the day to let sunlight
and heat in.
- Keep heating vents unobstructed. Check registers to make sure that they're not blocked by furniture
or window coverings.
- Keep your wall and baseboard heaters clean and clear of obstructions so the heat can circulate.
- Only heat commonly used areas of the house by using a portable heater. Let the rest of the house stay
at a lower temperature.
- Dress for the season, and use sweaters and extra blankets when it's cool outside.
- During the heating season, check your
electric meter (typically located on an exterior wall of your home) twice each month.
Compare your current usage to previous years' usage to identify potential problems.
Use EWEB's meter reading worksheet
- Seal any air leaks around windows, doors, and incoming pipes and wiring. For small cracks, use caulking;
for larger openings, use a can of expanding spray foam. Add weatherstripping and door sweeps to doors,
and replace weatherstripping as it wears out. Install foam gaskets behind covers for electrical
outlets and light switches.
- Properly insulate your attic, walls, floor and heat ducts. Consult EWEB's Energy Management Services
department to determine the appropriate amounts of insulation for your home.
- Have heating ducts checked for leaks. Leaking ducts can reduce the efficiency of your heating
system by as much as 30%. Learn about
EWEB's duct-sealing program, which offers free testing and financing.
- Before winter weather arrives, place covers over the vents in your home's foundation. In cold weather,
these will block cold air from flowing in under your house and help prevent water pipes from freezing.
Remove vent covers in the spring to prevent moisture build-up.
- When a fireplace is not in use, close the flue damper and fireplace glass doors. Chimneys are designed
to suck warm air and smoke out of your house, so fireplaces are best for ambiance, not heating.
- Install a chimney pillow in the flue of seldom or unused fireplaces. These are plastic pillows
that are inflated to fill the chimney and block warm air from leaving. Always remove the pillow
before starting a fire. Chimney pillows can be obtained from fireplace dealers and online.
Download a copy of EWEB's heating tips (PDF)
EWEB's Heat Sheets describe various types of residential electric heating systems. You'll find information
to help you select the appropriate system, including estimated operating costs. Each Heat Sheet also
explains how the system works and identifies proper maintenance.
