WASHINGTON – With a large region of the country experiencing extreme cold temperatures, the Alliance to Save Energy compiled this set of tips to help people stay warm and comfortable at home while saving on energy bills.

For the long run, buying the most efficient appliances and devices – such as those with the ENERGY STAR label – is a sure-fire way to build in energy savings. But for everyone in a pinch right now, here are five easy, inexpensive tips for a warmer, more efficient home:

• Heating Problems. There’s no way around it: staying warm is a priority during the winter. But did you know that heating typically makes up about 42% of your utility bill? By combining proper equipment maintenance, upgrading your insulation and changing your thermostat settings, you can save roughly 30% of your energy bill, while also reducing carbon emissions. Even if you can only do one of these things – like lowering your thermostat when you’re away or sleeping – you can see impressive monthly savings.
• Drafty Homes. Air leaks are sneaky and not always easy to detect, and they leave your house drafty, cold, and leaking precious (and expensive) heat. By properly sealing your window seals, you can save on heating. This is a perfect solution if you’re renting a house or apartment, or don’t want to take on a massive home improvement project. And if you have a fireplace, be sure to close the damper when you’re not using it. Small solutions can have big results!
• Capture the Sun. Once you’ve weatherized your windows, open blinds and curtains on south-facing windows during the day to let in the sun’s warmth. Close curtains and other window treatments at night to provide another weather barrier.
• Water Heaters. Water heating accounts for 14-18 percent of homeowners’ utility bills. An excellent way to save money, over the long term, is to get an energy-saving water heater. Can’t afford one? We understand that. Reducing your hot water temperature to 120F is an easy, quick, no cost solution, and prevents costly hospital bills from burning your hands, too. Win-win.
• Ceiling Fans. Set your ceiling fans to run clockwise. Seems crazy, right? Turns out there can be a noticeable difference in temperatures between ceiling and floor. Hot air, as you remember, rises, and running your fan clockwise pushes hot air down. This can warm your floor for little to no cost. Easy!

About the Alliance to Save Energy

Founded in 1977, the Alliance to Save Energy is a nonprofit, bipartisan alliance of business, government, environmental and consumer leaders working to expand the economy while using less energy. Our mission is to promote energy productivity worldwide – including through energy efficiency – to achieve a stronger economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security, affordability and reliability.

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