Use ceiling fans to supplement air conditioning and heating
Ceiling fans efficiently circulate air throughout a home during winter and summer. They can increase the cooling effects of air conditioning so you can set your thermostat higher or not use A/C at all on mild days. In summer, run your fan counter-clockwise; in winter, run it clockwise so it pushes warm air up against the ceiling and down along the walls. For maximum energy saving benefits, purchase an ENERGY STAR® ceiling fan. These fans circulate an average of 15% more air than other ceiling fans.
Air conditioning and heating can account for half of a household’s energy consumption. Changing your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system filters regularly will allow the systems to operate efficiently, and will keep the indoor air clean. Use HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters on your HVAC system so that you have maximum filtration in your home.
The frequency recommended for filter changes can vary depending on your household environment. Most homes should have a filter change every 90 days, but more frequent changes may be needed for homes with pets or during peak seasonal usage. A monthly visual check is enough to see if the filter is dirty and needs replacement. Learn more about changing your filter from the Service Experts guide or Energy Star® guide.
In the summer, close drapes and blinds during the hottest parts of the day to keep the sun from heating your rooms. Standard window blinds can be quite effective at keeping your house cool in summer, reducing heat gain by up to 45%.
In the winter, open drapes and blinds during the day to allow the sun to warm your home, and close drapes and blinds during the evening to keep the heat inside. Conventional drapes or curtains reduce heat loss from a room by only 10%. Convection carries hot air between the curtain and the window, where the air loses heat, falls below the bottom of the curtain (and out the sides) and draws in more hot air above. Drapes or blinds that are close to the window and snug on all sides can reduce heat loss by as much as 25%.
A lot of heat is lost during the night through window glazing (the glass portion of the window). You can retain heat in your rooms by using insulated window shades or window quilts. Insulated shades can also keep heat from entering your rooms in the summer. There are many products to chose from; try searching Amazon.com or Google.com. Or if you are frugally-minded, learn how to make your own window quilts, make your own insulated Roman shades, or make your own solar heat catcher.
If you have a fireplace in a well-insulated home, but leave the damper open, you could be increasing your energy use and costs by 30%. Winter air leakage through fireplaces can increase winter energy bills by $500 or more! Chimneys draw rising warm air out of your home which is replaced by cold air. Close your dampers or install a low-cost inflatable pillow in your chimney; it can be removed before fireplace use, and reinstalled after. Visit batticdoor.com or search for “inflatable dampers” with your internet browser to learn about options.
Watch this video to learn how to install a chimney balloon.
Air flow through leaky doors and window joints, cracks, frames, and sashes can account for 15-40% of a home’s heating and cooling losses. If you close a piece of paper in a door and can pull it out easily, it needs weatherstripping. Stop air leaks from windows and doors with caulking, weatherstripping, plastic film, storm windows, or storm doors. Learn more about how windows can waste energy.
From draft guards to foam weatherstripping, there’s a wide variety of products and strategies. It’s a good idea to learn what works best for your particular situation and the location and type of doors and windows you are sealing. Learn more about different strategies and materials from the Energy Savers guide, savehouseholdenergy.com, or Consumer Energy Center.
If you are a renter, there are temporary fixes for simple sealing projects, like using plastic window film or rope caulking, or laying a rolled up towel to stop drafts below doors. Air sealing strategies that are more permanent should have landlord approval.
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