20 Heating Energy Conservation Tips

If you are looking for a science fair project on this subject go to water heater conservation science fair projects...

1. Turn down the thermostat. Wear warm clothing and set the thermostat to at 65-70 degrees during the day and 60 - 65 degrees at night.
2. Put extra blankets on the bed.
3. On sunny days, keep the shades, blinds and drapes open. At night, close curtains, draperies and blinds to keep the heat in.
4. Close closet doors and doors to unused rooms.
5. Lower the thermastat to just above freezing tempature. (you don't want your pipes to freeze). When you leave town for a couple of days or more, open the doors under your sinks to allow the heat to warm the pipes.
6. Cover wall-mounted air conditioners with plastic film or an airtight cover when not in use.
7. If you live in an apartment or condo do not open your windows or patio doors or turn on your air conditioning unit to cool down your dwelling during the winter months.
8. Look for energy leaks. Find drafts by putting your hand in front of a window or door base, then caulk or weather strip to seal the gaps.
9. Insulate your basement, attic, and crawl spaces.
10. Keep your fireplace damper closed when you aren't using it.
11. Clean or change your furnace filters once a month.
12. Maintain your heat pump, furnace or air conditioner. Keep units free of blockages. If they make strange noises, have them serviced promptly.
13. Use space heaters as little as possible, as they are very expensive to operate.
14. Use a solar water heater.

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Water Heating Energy Conservation Tips

1. If you aren't quite ready to trade up your old storage hot water heater for a high-efficiency tankless system, then add insulation. Wrap your old heater in a layer of insulation. For about $15 you can purchase an approved insulating jacket and reduce heat lost through the walls of the tank by 25-40%.

Hot water accounts for 13% of the typical utility bill, so improving the efficiency of your heater will save energy and cutting down on carbon emissions.

2. Install a tankless water heater, also called a demand water heater, which heats up water when you need it.
3. Don't overheat water. For dishes, one hundred twenty degrees or lower is fine if you don't have a dishwasher.
4. Keep your water heater clean. Once or twice a year, drain a bucket of water out of the bottom of the tank. When you remove sediment, you will save energy by keeping the heating element in contact with the water.
5. Take showers instead of baths.
6. Plug up leaking faucets.
7. Insulate hot water pipes.

We are always adding to our list of science fair projects about energy conservation.