Graph Of Energy Consumption And Tips To Reduce It

Image courtesy of Kids Energy Page @ DOE.gov

This graph shows how the average American uses energy in their homes. Heating our houses is almost half of all energy consumed in American households. Here are some tips to reduce your heating costs.

• Buy a programmable thermostat to make sure your heat is only one when you want it to be. Here is a guide from the governments energy star website about programmable thermostats. You also might want to check out this consumer guide from the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy division of the Department of Energy.
  


• Use other ways of keeping yourself warm like blankets, socks, slippers, long johns, pants, sweatshirts, hats, gloves, and even a pet. All of these most people already have and can wear multiples of.
  


• Fire places and wood stoves can be a great source of heat, but very expensive to install. If you have one already, chords of wood are not very expensive and can usually last all winter. Or if you have a friend with land, ask to chop down some trees and cut them up during the summer to let them dry out for the winter. If you don't have either, maybe invest in a wood stove. The ones I've seen online are close to $2000, so check around your local stores to see if there is anything cheaper.