SAVING ENERGY ON HEATING

Maintenance
Programmable Thermostat
Electronic Timers for Lamps and Appliances
Hot Water Heater
New Energy-Efficient Furnaces
Buying Green Energy That Is Certified

See section on Cooling
See section on Renewable Energy
See our section on Creating your own Renewable Energy
See our section on Air Sealing and Insulation
See section on Energy at the National Level

Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes.

SAVE ENERGY THROUGH GOOD MAINTENANCE
Inspect heating and cooling equipment annually, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Have a professional check and clean your equipment once a year. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12300

Improving the Performance of an Existing Heating System also from http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/topfurn.htm

Proper maintenance can have a big effect on fuel bills and should be performed on a routine basis:

1. Keep your cooling and heating system at peak performance by having a contractor do annual pre-season check-ups. Contractors get busy once summer and winter come, so it's best to check the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall. To remember, you might plan the check-ups around the time changes in the spring and fall.
2. A typical maintenance check-up should include the following.
Get your system tuned up. Oil-fired systems should be tuned up and cleaned every year, gas-fired systems every two years, and heat pumps every two or three years. Regular tune-ups not only cut heating costs, but they also increase the lifetime of the system, reduce breakdowns and repair costs, and cut the amount of carbon monoxide, smoke, and other pollutants pumped into the atmosphere by fossil-fueled systems.
3. Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away.
Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.
4. Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and increases the amount of electricity you use.
5. Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels.
6. Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.
7. Check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger. Improperly operating gas (or oil) connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.
8. Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure. Generally, you should change them about once every month or two, especially during periods of high usage.
9. Clean registers. Warm-air registers (particularly return registers) should be kept clean and should not be blocked by furniture, carpets, or drapes.
10. Have your ducts sealed. In homes heated with warm-air heating, ducts should be inspected and sealed to ensure adequate airflow and eliminate loss of heated air. It is not uncommon for ducts to leak as much as 15-20% of the air passing through them. And, leaky ducts can bring additional dust and humidity into living spaces. Thorough duct sealing costs several hundred dollars but can cut heating and cooling costs in many homes by 20%. See our Air Sealing and Insulation page. From http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_maintenance.

INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT. A programmable thermostat can save you $100 a year when programmed and used properly. Set thermostats to 68°F in winter when you're home, and down to 55°F when you go to bed or when you're away. For requirements see http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=thermostats.pr_thermostats.

USE ELECTRONIC TIMERS FOR LAMPS AND APPLIANCES Electric timers improve home security and can be a great energy saver, too. They can be programmed to turn lights and small appliances on and off at designated times. Most timers are easy to install and are available for window air conditioning units. Turn the air conditioner off when you are gone and program the timer to start your air conditioner just before you plan to return. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=thermostats.pr_thermostats

REDUCE THE ENERGY USED BY A HOT WATER HEATER Install an R-7 or R-11 water heater wrap. Water heaters with insufficient insulation can lose heat, which means they have to work harder to keep the water hot. Place your hand on the water heater above the middle of the tank, if it feels hot or warm, you are wasting energy. (Caution: Never put an insulation blanket on a gas water heater if it is equipped with an automatic vent damper or if it is prohibited by the manufacturer. See your water heater owner’s manual or call the manufacturer for specific information.) Wrap the tank with a fiberglass water heater blanket and wrap hot water pipes with foam sheaths to reduce standby losses. The cold water inlet pipe to the tank should be wrapped for about five feet as well.

Turn down the water heater thermostat. Most water heaters are shipped with the thermostat set to about 140°F, so the water is hot enough to scald. Sometimes installers will turn up the thermostat even further. If you turn it down to about 120°F, energy savings can be significant. Water heater thermostats are notoriously inaccurate, so just turn yours down little by little, each time giving the tank a few days to adjust, until the water is just hot enough for your needs. (If you use a dishwasher without a booster heater, you may not want to turn down the temperature; most dishwasher manuals recommend that water be 140° at the tap. This recommendation is controversial, with some experts maintaining that such high heat is unnecessary.)

Turn the water heater off or down to its lowest setting if the house will be empty a day or more. Gas units often have a setting called "pilot" or even "vacation," which keeps the pilot light on but turns the thermostat off. Older gas water heaters lose half their heat through the walls of the tank and up the flue under normal conditions. These standby losses continue even when nobody is around to use hot water.

Solar Hot Water Many people replace water-heating equipment or put in a new pool or spa when they remodel. If you have access to knowledgeable, reliable contractors, changing over to solar water heating can save you energy and money. Solar heating for pools and spas is cost-effective almost everywhere, and solar-heated tap water makes economic sense where the climate is relatively sunny and gas and electricity are expensive. Choose a contractor with experience and several references.

Comparing Hot Water Heaters
The U.S. Department of Energy offers guidelines and tips on purchasing water heaters.
EERE has information on Water heaters at http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12760

The Rocky Mountain Institute has a Home Resource Efficiency site that includes nine Home Energy Briefs, Number 5 is on Water Heating athttp://www.rmi.org/images/other/Energy/E04-15_HEB5WaterHeat.pdf

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings
Condensed Online Version at http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/mostenef.htm. Or you can buy the full book at http://www.aceee.org/store/proddetail.cfm?CFID=569382&CFTOKEN=28344766&ItemID=367&CategoryID=3
Their section on Water Heaters is at http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/topwater.htm:
Types of Water Heaters
Selecting a New Water Heater
Water Heater Efficiency
Comparing the True Costs of Water Heaters
Upgrading Your Existing Water Heater

PURCHASE A NEW ENERGY-EFFICIENT FURNACE. If your unit is more than 15 years old, you should consider replacing your system with one of the newer, energy-efficient units. A new unit would greatly reduce your energy consumption, especially if the existing equipment is in poor condition. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12310 This section includes:
Limitations When Replacing Existing Systems http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12320
Selecting Fuel Type and Type of System http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12330
Sizing Your Heating and Cooling System http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12340

Heating Systems at Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is at http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12480
Furnace and Boiler Information is at http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12530
Wood and Pellet-Fuel Heating Provides a way to heat your home using biomass or waste sources.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12570
Electric Resistance Heating Among the most expensive ways to heat a home.
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12520
Active Solar Heating Uses the sun to heat either air or liquid and can serve as a supplemental heat source. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12490
Radiant Heating Can draw on a number of energy sources, including electricity, boilers, solar energy, and wood and pellet-fuel heating. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12590
Small Space Heaters Less efficient than central heating systems, but can save energy when used appropriately. While forced-air heating systems rely on the same type of ducts used by heat pumps and air conditioners, water and steam heat systems use radiators that only deliver heat. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12600
Heat Distribution Systems Steam radiators and Hot Water radiators. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12580
Heat Pump Systems http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12610

Supporting Equipment for Heating and Cooling Systems, including Thermostats, Ducts, Dehumidifying heat pipes, Gas and Electric Meters, learning how to read your electric and gas meters will allow you to keep close track of your energy use.

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’ s Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings: One section is on Heating Systemshttp://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/topfurn.htm, which includes a discussion of new furnaces:
Heat Pumps
Should I Replace My Existing Heating System?
Selecting a New System
Improving the Performance of an Existing System

The Rocky Mountain Institute has a Home Resource Efficiency site that includes nine Home Energy Briefs, Number 4 is on Space Heating at http://www.rmi.org/images/other/Energy/E04-14_HEB4SpaceHeat.pdf

ENERGY STAR has information on furnace, including
Sizing and Installation Your new heating and cooling system should be a custom fit for your home. Sizing and a handful of other installation practices can dramatically affect how well your new equipment will deliver comfort and savings. Expect to pay a little more for a good contractor who follows these practices.
Calculate the size of equipment
Seal and insulate ducts in attics and crawlspaces
Check and correct air flow
Proper refrigerant charging
Equipment placement

General Tips
Use energy-saving settings on washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators.
Close heating vents in unused rooms.
Close drapes (and windows) during sunny summer days and after sunset in the winter.
Also, if you've weatherized and insulated, you'll be able to downsize the heating and cooling system. See our section on Air Sealing and Insulation.

BUYING GREEN ENERGY
From A Consumer's Guide to Buying Clean Energy http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/gcleanen.asp
Currently, 15 states require power companies to produce a percentage of electricity from renewable sources, and other states are considering such requirements.

Renewable energy can save consumers money. Because renewable "fuels" such as sun and wind are free, they reduce the price of wholesale electricity, which lowers electricity bills.

For now, however, buying less-polluting electricity can be a challenge because options differ from state to state. On this page we identify three ways to support renewable energy.

1. Choosing a Clean Power Supplier Traditionally, electric utility companies have operated as monopolies within particular states. But since 1997, 18 states have opened their electricity markets to competition, giving outside companies, including suppliers that draw all or a significant portion of their power from renewable resources, the right to compete for customers. Six more are currently in the restructuring process.
To find out when and if you can choose your energy supplier, check the Energy Information Administration's website (http://www.eia.doe.gov/). Green-e, a green power certification program run by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions, identifies suppliers in these states that draw at least half their power from wind, solar energy and other clean sources. Even if you don't live in one of these states you may want to bookmark the Green-e site and check it periodically. Green-e continually tracks and reports on changes in state practices.
Green-e's Pick Your Powerhttp://www.green-e.org/your_e_choices/pyp.html You can see if Green-e certified products are available in your area. Currently Green-e certified products are available nationwide. Switching only takes a few minutes, but it makes a big difference to our environment and our health.
Electric Power Industry Restructuring Fact Sheethttp://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/fact_sheets/restructuring.html

Buying Clean Electricity http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=10400 At least 50% of customers have the option to purchase renewable electricity directly from their power supplier, and all customers have the option of purchasing RECs. Such power is sometimes referred to as "green power" or "clean power."
Competitive electricity markets Customers choose to have their electricity produced by an independent clean power generator, instead of buying it from the power provider assigned to your area. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=10420
Green Power Network provides news on green power markets and utility green pricing programs worldwide. http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower.

2. Green Pricing Some power companies are now providing an optional service, called green pricing, that allows customers to pay a small premium in exchange for electricity generated from clean, renewable ("green") energy sources. The premium covers the increased costs incurred by the power provider (i.e. electric utility) when adding renewable energy to its power generation mix. Pricing Information is at http://www.green-e.org/
Green pricing Customers pay a small premium in exchange for electricity generated by clean energy sources.
Center for Resource Solutions runs a green pricing accreditation program to set standards for green pricing and ensure that utility companies are delivering on their promises to invest in renewable resources. http://www.resource-solutions.org/

3. Green Tags and Wind Certificates Renewable energy certificates (RECs), also known as green certificates, green tags, or tradable renewable certificates, represent the environmental attributes of the power produced from renewable energy projects and are sold separate from commodity electricity. You can offset the global warming pollution created in generating electricity for your home or office, by supporting the development of clean renewable energy. Customers can buy green certificates whether or not they have access to green power through their local utility or a competitive electricity marketer. And they can purchase green certificates without having to switch electricity suppliers. Currently, more than 30 organizations market green energy certificates at the wholesale or retail level nationally.
There are calculators to determine how much energy you use. (NRDC worked with these two groups to offset emissions related to our February 2003 Rolling Stones concert to raise awareness about global warming.) Your electricity bill will not be reduced by the amount you spend on wind certificates or green tags, but you'll be investing in clean air and a stable climate.

Calculators
NativeEnergy's WindBuilders programhttp://www.nativeenergy.com/windbuilders.html Wind Builders has a Custom Carbon Footprint calculator at http://www.nativeenergy.com/safeclimate_calculator.htm

Bonneville Environmental Foundation's Green Tags programhttps://www.greentagsusa.org/GreenTags/index.cfm has a calculator at https://www.greentagsusa.org/GreenTags/calculator_intro.cfm

Renewable Energy Certificates You can then off-set the energy from fossil fuels that you use by supporting the same amount of renewable energy development. You can use the two companies mentioned above, or see EERE’s list of companies that provide certificates is at http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/markets/certificates.shtml?page=1
They also list wholesale and retail renewable energy certificate marketers and brokers at http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/markets/certificates.shtml?page=2

Green-e also lists Certified Tradable Renewable Certificates for Consumers - http://www.green-e.org/your_e_choices/trcs.html. Green-e has also established a Renewable Energy Certification Program. The Green-e Standard for Electricity Products in all regions of the United States is at http://www.green-e.org/ipp/electricity_standard.html. The Green-e certification standards for Tradable Renewable Certificates (TRC) are at Green-e National TRC Standard . http://www.green-e.org/ipp/trc_standard.html. The Green-e accreditation standards for green pricing programs in regulated markets are at Green-e Utility Green Pricing Standards http://www.green-e.org/ipp/gp_standard.html.

WORLD WIDE
Green-e is the certifier in the United States.
In Canada, it is TerraChoice in Canada. TerraChoice certifies green power products for Environment Canada's Environmental Choice Program. http://www.environmentalchoice.com.
In Europe it is EUGENE in Europe. European Network for Green Electricity (EUGENE) is an independent, international, and credible labeling scheme for green electricity products. http://www.greenelectricitynetwork.org.
GreenPrices lists green power options in Europe and shows consumers where to buy it, how much it costs, and how it is produced. http://www.greenprices.com/eu/index.asp