How to Go Green: Home Heating

Two-thirds of your home's annual energy use is going to space and water heating. When you cut back on the energy used (and energy lost or wasted through leaks and other inefficiencies) on your home heating, you save yourself money, the planet's resources, and suffice it to say, there are political implications to our dependency on oil, oil used to heat our homes. Learn how to save energy on heating with Planet Green's Top Tips for Eco-friendly Home Heating.

Top Tips for Home Heating the Green Way

Seal the Leaks: This is one of the easiest, least expensive and most effective ways to make your home heating more efficient, by preventing loss. You'll need some caulk or insulating strips to get started.

Cover Your Glass: Installing clear plastic barriers or storm windows on your existing windows can cut heat loss by 25% to 50% by creating an insulating dead-air space inside the window.

Draw Your Drapes: Most heat loss occurs through and around windows. Draw them at night to avoid heat loss and open drapes on north-facing windows during the day to take advantage of natural sun light.

Did You Know?

- You can cut your heating cost by 10% using a ceiling fan

- You'll save more than $100 annually if you install an Energy Star thermostat

For more on Home Heating Tips check out Planet Green's Guide, How to Go Green: Home Heating. For more on Going Green, check out the Planet Green How to Go Green Archives.