According to the USDOE, heating accounts for almost 50% of the average NJ home’s energy use.  Over 80% of home heating in NJ is with natural gas, 12% electric and the rest oil or propane.

No-cost EE tips

1. Move obstacles away from vents and registers. Keep them clean.
2. Run your ceiling fan counter-clockwise to move the heat down from the ceiling to the floor.
3. Open the drapes during the day to let the sun heat in and close them at night to reduce the chill.
4. Lower your thermostat to 68^o F while awake and lower when asleep or away.  You save between 1% to 3% for every 1 degree lower you set your thermostat.  This can save you up to 10% on your heating bill or about $80 per year.

Low-cost EE tips

1. Perform routine annual maintenance on your heating system in the fall before winter use.
2. Change the filter on your heating system and humidifier, either when dirty or every 3 months.
3. Buy and use a programable thermostat
4. Seal up any drafts.  This could save you up to 20% on your heating bill or about $160 per year.
5. Add insulation.
6. Replace an older inefficient heating system with a new efficient system. (Tune in tomorrow for more tips on heating systems)