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Tips on reducing heating costs

• Install a smart or programmable thermostat. Smart thermostats adjust automatically to save energy. They can observe your behaviour and daily use to program itself! Some also sense if your phone is connected to you wifi network and have optical sensors to perceive when you are and are not home.
• Reducing your home’s temperature by two or three degrees can save on heating energy used each month . When you are awake at home set your thermostat to your preferred temperature (20°C) and when you are sleeping or out of the house set it lower (17°C ).
• Change and clean your furnace filter regularly – at least every 3 months. Use holidays or annual events as a way of remembering to change your filter such as, New Years, Easter, Canada Day and Halloween.
• If you have a traditional fireplace, keep the damper closed to prevent heat from escaping through the chimney.
• Keep air vents dust-free and unobstructed by carpets, drapes or furniture.
• Keep curtains open during the day to allow the sun’s heat in during cold weather to help insulate against heat loss.
• Add weatherstrip and caulk around windows and doors to eliminate drafts.
• Schedule an annual furnace inspection with a qualified professional.
• Seal the seams of heating ducts with foil tape to prevent air exiting the system and to improve efficiency.
• Use foam gaskets to insulate outlets and light switches to prevent heat loss.