| • | Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed. |
| • | Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed. |
| • | Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators. |
| • | During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home. During the cooling season, keep the window covering closed during the day to prevent solar gain. |
| • | Select energy-efficient equipment when you buy new heating and cooling equipment. Look for the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR is a program developed by the US Dept. of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help consumers identify energy-efficient products and services. |
| • | Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer. |
| • | Use a programmable thermostat. You can save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning back 10% - 15% for 8 hours. |
| • | For more information on informed choices about heating and air conditioning equipment purchases, visit the Heating & Cooling Initiative on the Focus on Energy website. |