Imagine this: your thermostat is at 67 rather than 70 during the day and 55 rather than 60 during the night– you throw on a sweater or an extra blanket. Simply decreasing the temperature of your thermostat, amongst many other changes, can save money and minimize the burning of fossil fuels during our winter months. Not everyone can afford solar panels, electric vehicles, and the latest appliances, but there are numerous low to no-cost energy actions we can implement to reduce our monthly bills and carbon footprint. Here are a few:

• Transition all bulbs to LED, including Christmas lights.
• Why heat or light the house when nobody is there? Purchase a smart thermostat, dimmers, motion sensors, and timers.
• Turn off lights when not in use and install smart strips to avoid vampire power use.
• Identify air leaks, then caulk, seal, and weather strip.
• Open windows during warmer days and close them at night.
• Make sure nothing is blocking heat vents and add rugs if the floors are cold.
• Ditch the extra fridge or freezer hanging out in the garage or basement.
• Maintain central heat ducts and service your furnace.
• Decrease heat in parts of the house that are not used consistently.
• Turn the water heater temperature down.
• Ditch the dryer and use drying racks.
• Close the fireplace flue when not in use and add chimney insulation if appropriate.
• Close off spare bedrooms, including vents.
• Consider transitioning to electric for the oven, furnace, and water heater (rebates are available).
• Contact Dominion Energy’s ThermWise program for a $25 Home Energy Audit at 1-888-324-3221.

By Mary Closser