Save More This Heating Season With These Energy-Saving Tips

The following energy-saving tips are reprinted from a recent CenterPoint Energy flyer.  While these are no cost, low cost or high returns on investment, they are well worth considering as we are in the winter heating season.

• During the winter, set your thermostat between 65 and 68 degrees and at 58 degrees when away from the house for more than a few hours.  Keep temperatures warmer if you have infants or elderly persons at home.                                                                                                                    
• Change or clean return-air filters once a month.  Furnace consume less energy if they "breathe" more easily.                                                                                                                                       
• Run washing  machines and clothes dryers with a full load.                                                             
• Set water heater temperatures at 120 degrees.  A family of four, each showering for five minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water each week.  By lowering the thermostat, families can cut water heating bills without sacrificing comfort.                                                                                                                                                                                         
• Seal leaks around doors, windows, and other openings such as pipes or ducts, with caulk or weatherstripping.                                                                                                                               
• Open drapes a d blinds to let in the sun's warmth on sunny days; close them at night to insulate against cold air from outside.                                                                                                            
• Install a programmable thermostat to turn down temperatures automatically.