Tips for reducing heating bills

All right class, here’s today’s topic — how to save money on your home heating bill this winter:

. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees and insulate the water heater tank.

. Keep your heating and cooling systems in tip-top shape. They run more efficiently and last longer.

. Use natural sunlight to light your home and to warm up a room in the winter.

. Winterize you home. Use weather-stripping, caulking, plastic film or storm windows or doors to seal out drafts. Install a minimum of R-30 insulation in attics and ceilings. Check ducts for cracks or broken seams and keep ducts and grills clean. Insulate hot water pipes and ducts in unheated areas. Use draft-stopping gaskets specially made to fit behind light switch plates and electric sockets.

. Ceiling fans help keep you comfortable not only in the summer but in the winter as well. Reversing the direction of the blades pushes warm air down into the room.

. Keep your thermostat at the lowest comfortable setting. If you are going to be away for several days, turn the thermostat to a lower setting, but not to “off.”

. Have your furnace inspected. Consider annual maintenance check-ups to keep the furnace working at top efficiency. Then, change your furnace filter monthly — dirty filters make your furnace work harder.

. Close off unused rooms. Shut the door, put a towel across the bottom of the door and block off any cold air returns in the room. In rooms you use, don’t block heating vents or return registers with furniture.

. Close drapes and blinds at night. During the day open them to let the sun help heat your home.