10 Ways to Save on Heating (and Cooling)

Each year, 45% of the average household energy bill is spent on heating and cooling. As we head into October, many parts of the country are heading straight into winter, while some of us (howdy Texas!) are still battling above-average temperatures. Regardless of what your weather is doing right now, here are a few tips to moderate your heating and cooling costs.

1. Warm air leaking out of your home wastes money. Weatherstrip your windows and seal your doors to keep your heat from escaping through cracks and crevices. Use a good quality caulking compound and seal up any cracks between the side walls of the house and the window frames. You can also save your heat by air sealing and adding extra insulation to attics and crawlspaces. Weather-strip and insulate your attic hatch or door to prevent warm air from escaping out the top of your house. This tip works for saving your A/C too!
2. Don't overlook your wall outlets — it's amazing how much outside air comes in around the openings. Install foam precut pads behind the face plates. Most home building centers and hardware stores carry them. When I had a home energy audit done, my auditor told me that childproofing outlet plugs also block air leaks on exterior walls.
3. Change your air filters monthly and keep your air ducts in good shape to ensure your heater is performing as efficiently as possible. This could save up to 5% on your heating bill. 
4. Keep baseboards and radiators or air flow vents clean and unrestricted by furniture and carpet or curtains. Use a vacuum hose or brush to remove dust on vents and air intakes.
5. During the winter, keep your thermostat at the lowest temperature that keeps your home comfortable, usually around 65-70 degrees F. Turn your thermostat down several degrees when leaving the house for the day or extended periods of time. One easy way to do this is to purchase a programmable thermostat. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you save about 2% off your heating bill. You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning the thermostat back 10 to 15% for eight hours a day, while you're away at work or sleeping.
6. If you have a fireplace, keep the damper closed when the fireplace is not in use. Make sure to open the damper before using your fireplace, and have your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly for safety!
7. Use your ceiling fan to not only keep you comfortable but also allow you to adjust your thermostat for more energy savings. Reverse the spin of the fan (most fans have a small switch) and set it on the slowest speed to help send warm air down to the living area. When shopping for a ceiling fan, look for an energy-efficient model. Turn off ceiling fans when the room is empty -- they only "work" when there's someone in the room to benefit from the air movement.
8. Open your window shades and curtains to let the sun's natural warmth in during the day. At night, close them to help insulate your windows against heat loss. If you're still dealing with summer-like weather, leave the shades closed during the day to block the sun's heat.
9. Set your hot water temperature at the "normal" setting — no higher than 120 degrees F. This can cut your water heating costs by 10%. If the water still feels very hot, try lowering the water thermostat to 110 degrees F. If your water heater is pretty old, make a quick trip to the hardware store or home improvement center for an insulation kit to wrap your water heater and save even more on water heating costs. (New water heaters are better insulated and may not require an insulation kit.) Place pipe insulation on the hot water pipe that carries the heated water from the water heater — especially in cold basements or closets.
10. And, of course, the old stand-by: put on a sweater. Instead of raising the thermostat when you're chilly, try putting on a sweater or cuddling up under a blanket. Sometimes the simplest solution is the coziest.