Cost: $60 – $200
Estimated Effort: 30 minutes
Approximate Savings: 10% – 15% or more
Installing a “smart” thermostat is not hard at all, and typically takes less than 30 minutes to accomplish, even for novice users.
When buying your new thermostat, just remember – you get what you pay for. If you want more features, like the ability to program based on day, you will pay more. Likewise if you want an Energy Star model. My advice to get one that’s within your budget with features you need right now, but go …

The filter takes out a lot of dander, hair, pollen, etc from the air as it is fed into the furnace.
If the filter is dirty, less air is fed into the heating system, which means…yep, you guessed it. The furnace has to work harder by staying on longer to heat the available air. And the longer it runs, the more it costs.
Some will advise you to change it every 60 or 90 days. I’d still recommend every 30 days, especially if you have pets or an older house …

Basically, make sure the thermostat location isn’t too hot, or too drafty. The thermostat measures the temperature and locating it in either location can throw off the reading.
The effects can be disastrous for your utility bill.
The area might be warm, so the thermostat will be tricked into thinking the heat has done its job and turn it off. Actually, just the area where the thermostat is located is warm because it is directly over or very close to a heating vent.
The opposite is true as well. If …

Here’s a little secret for those of you who may be looking for a home and are energy conscious. Newer, high efficiency furnaces do not have an exhaust pipe that rises vertically (up through the roof of the house). The exhaust is actually sent out usually through a PVC pipe at an angle towards a side of the house. It may rise up from there, but it never goes straight up from the furnace like older, inefficient units.

When you are buying a new home, here are some things to look for to ensure you keep your energy bills low:

Look for energy efficient appliances. Most of the time they will still have the energy guide sticker on them. Check the efficiency and relative costs.
Check the age and condition of the delivery ducts and vents
Ask what the last HVAC job was. If someone installed central air or a new furnace after the home was built, there is an excellent chance the installer did due diligence and inspected the house …

If you are a home owner and looking to sell your house, there are a few things you can do to help generate interest in your home and attract potential buyers

Adjust the thermostat accordingly. In the winter, no one likes coming into a cold house, and in fact, it may turn off potential buyers. While you may like a toasty 66 degrees, others may prefer a downright balmy 70 degrees or better. Actually, the temperature doesn’t really matter – perception does. If you turn the thermostat too low (to save …

There’s a few things to consider here. On the surface, and as a general rule, you should avoid turning up the thermostat. The reason is relatively simple – you will be pumping natural gas (or whatever your fuel) into a unit that consumes a relatively large amount of fuel to heat a large area. If you are in every room of your house, this is by far the most efficient solution.
But I’m going to assume that you are not in all the rooms of your house, at least at the …

Unfortunately, there is some bad news that comes along with sealing windows, walls, and doors that may leak. That something is air pollution or contamination within the home. By sealing cracks, you’re saving heat but also giving pollutants less opportunity to escape your home. Carbon Monoxide, an odorless, colorless and very poisonous gas can also be trapped.
To reduce this risk, make sure you change the filter on your furnace often, preferably with a premium one that stops as much allergens and particles as possible. Be especially vigilant if …

It used to be the case that when you moved in an area, you were stuck with a single provider for your utilities without any choice. For example, you had to choose ABC company for your electricity, because they were the only provider in the area. Not choosing them and their terms and rates means you didn’t get electricity.
Now, in most areas, you have a choice when it comes to two, sometimes all three of your major utilities (natural gas, water and electric). Each company competes for …

Here’s an easy trap to fall into: You know your heating bills are high. So you’re sitting at home one chilly day with a warm coffee or tea, and you see a commercial for a local contracting company. Their message? High efficiency furnaces will end your misery! That’s right, call them for a no obligation quote on a new furnace and your heating bills will go down, you will be more comfortable, and your home will be safer.
It doesn’t have to be furnaces they’re selling either. Insulation services, building additions, …