Stay Warm and Save This Winter

Stay Warm and Save This Winter
By Stephanie Andre

RISMEDIA, November 18, 2010—The cold weather will be here (if not, already) before you know it. And with it comes the likelihood of rising heating bills and drafty windows, doorways and spaces.

To help you make your home more energy-efficient this year, here are some tips from ComEd:

• Have home heating systems cleaned and inspected by a professional each year to ensure safety and optimum efficiency. Be sure to change the filter prior to the heating season, and check its condition monthly.

• Inspect the caulking and weather-stripping around all windows, doors and any openings for utility services. Replace caulking and weather-stripping as necessary. A drafty house lets warm air escape and is much more costly to keep warm.

• Remove window air conditioners if possible, or install an air conditioner cover to eliminate drafts.

• Keep fireplace dampers closed tightly when not in use.

• Reverse the rotation of ceiling fan blades. During the winter, blades should spin so the warm air that has risen can be re-distributed around the room.

• Switch to more energy-efficient lighting, such as CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs), which use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.