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. A home’s hot water system accounts for almost 20% of the annual energy use.
No-cost Energy Efficiency tips
- Lower your thermostat to 68o 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.
- Adjust your hot water heater to 120o F.
- Move obstacles away from vents and registers. Keep them clean.
- Run your ceiling fan counterclockwise to move the heat down from the ceil to the floor.
- Open the drapes during the day to let the sun heat in and close them at night to reduce the chill.
Low-cost Energy Efficiency tips
- Perform routine annual maintenance on your heating system in the fall before winter use.
- Change the filter on your heating system and humidifier. Change them when dirty or every 3 months.
- Buy and use a programmable thermostat
- Seal up any drafts. This could save you up to 20% on your heating bill or about $160 per year.
- Add insulation.
- Replace an older inefficient heating system or hot water system with a new efficient system.