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Ten tips

Minimize heating costs this winter

By LAURA T. COFFEY
Published December 11, 2005

Home-heating bills are expected to be significantly higher this winter for consumers across the country. This can pack a real punch for Florida residents who live on fixed incomes or have tight budgets. The following energy-saving tips can help you save money.

1. BUNDLE UP FIRST. If you're feeling cold, put on a sweater or wrap yourself up in a blanket rather than cranking up the heat. Another tip: If your feet are cold, your whole body will feel cold, so wear socks in the house in the winter.

2. LOWER YOUR THERMOSTAT. You're not likely to notice a huge difference if you turn it down just a few degrees, a move that can shave 5 to 10 percent off your heating bill. Progress Energy suggests Florida residents set their thermostats at 70 degrees during the day and 60 to 65 degrees at night or when leaving the house.

3. DON'T LET HEAT ESCAPE UNNECESSARILY. Keep your doors and windows shut when the heat is on. If your home has a fireplace that you aren't using, be sure the flue is closed and glass doors are in place to minimize heat loss. Turn bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans off when they aren't needed.

4. CALL FOR A CHECKUP. Proper maintenance will help your heating unit run more efficiently. Electric and oil heaters should get professional attention at least once a year and gas heaters every other year.

5. WATCH YOUR WINDOWS. Open the drapes and shades on the sunny side of your home to help warm it up during the day, and remember to close them at night to reduce heat loss.

6. EXPLORE OUTSIDE. Check the exterior of your heating unit. Avoid stacking anything against the heat pump or draping anything over it. Hose the outside unit down to clear it of dirt, leaves and grass clippings. If your indoor unit appears to have excess water around it, see whether the condensate drain and pan are blocked.

7. CLEAN OR REPLACE FILTERS. Check the filters in your heating system and make sure they're clean and clear; dirty filters lead to higher heating costs.

8. PUT IT ON AUTO PILOT. Set the fan on your central heating unit to the "auto" position. Keeping the fan on "on" can increase your heating bill by $25 a month.

9. CAULK OR WEATHER-STRIP LEAKY WINDOWS OR DOORS. Light a candle and hold the flame near windows and doors to look for smoke moving horizontally. If you see it, that means you've spotted an air leak, and it likely means heat is escaping your home easily.

10. REVIEW YOUR INSULATION AND DUCT WORK. If you've done all of the above and you still have big heating bills, you may need additional insulation in your attic and around your duct work. That's generally a job for professionals.

Sources: Progress Energy (www.progress-energy.com) Tampa Electric Co. (www.tampaelectric.com) SmartMoney magazine (www.smartmoney.com) U.S. Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (www.energysavers.gov)

[Last modified December 7, 2005, 21:25:03]