Heating and Cooling Tips to Help Lower Energy Usage – Rhode Island Energy

As the cooler weather rolls into Rhode Island, many homeowners are looking for a smarter way to stay comfortable while cutting back on energy usage taking control of their utility bills.

A partner to help your home become more energy efficient is Rhode Island Energy. By requesting a no cost Home Energy Assessment, an Energy Specialist will come to your home and offer a variety of potential energy saving tips and upgrades tailored to your house.

Some of those personalized recommendations will likely focus on heating and cooling—the number one source of energy usage in most homes. Whether it is your furnace, boiler, heat pump, water heater or insulation, they’ll provide guidance to help your home stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer in the most energy efficient way possible.

During the visit, the Energy Specialist will also install products at no cost, including low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators, advanced power strips,programmable thermostats —easy solutions that can pay immediate dividends on energy savings. These products can also be found at discounted prices at the Rhode Island Energy Marketplace.

Low-flow shower heads and aerators can save the average household 700 gallons of water and approximately $50-$90 per year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. A programmable thermostat can save you as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling costs by turning thermostats back 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Here are five affordable heating and cooling tips you can take to help reduce your home’s energy usage immediately:

1. Insulate your water heater. A water heater blanket can cost about $20 to $40 and can save you 7 to 16 percent in water heating costs according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. Insulate hot water pipes. Another easy way to save on water heating costs is to insulate your hot water pipes. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this simple action reduces heat loss and can raise water temperature 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit, conserving water and allowing you to lower your water temperature setting on your water heater.

3. Natural gas furnace maintenance. While replacing a natural gas furnace that is over 20 years old can be the best way to reduce energy costs, a tune-up can save approximately $9 a month.

4. Invest in air sealing and insulation. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that homeowners can save about 15 percent on heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics. Insulation is an effective way to enhance home comfort because it makes it harder for the heat to escape and avoid drafts in the winter. It also can keep a home cooler in the summer and prevent condensation which later can result in mold or moisture issues. Rhode Island Energy customers may be eligible for up to $10,000 off insulation plus no cost air sealing of leaks in drafty areas of your home.

5. Use energy efficient curtains. According to U.S. Department of Energy, your home can lose up to 30 percent of its heating energy through the windows. Using energy efficient or thermal curtains can help provide the barrier needed to keep heat indoors longer and reduce heat transfer through windows.

By taking advantage of a no cost home energy assessment and implementing these simple heating and cooling energy efficiency savings tips, Rhode Islanders can see big savings in monthly utility bills. To learn more about improving overall energy efficiency with heating and cooling, visit www.rienergy.com/save.