Set your thermostat to 70 or lower during the day, and lower it to 68 or less at night. Setting the thermostat one degree lower saves 3 to 5 per cent on your energy bill.
Clean or change your air filters regularly, once or twice during the heating season.
Do not try to save energy by closing hot air registers or placing furniture or other objects in front of or over cold air returns.
Open drapes and shades during the day to let in the sun. Close them at night to keep out the cold.
Hot air and return ducts in the attic or crawl space should be covered with at least two inches of insulation.
Using a fireplace may produce less energy savings than expected because the fireplace uses air heated by the furnace to burn wood. You may wish to investigate installing a vent to bring outside air to the fireplace.
Set your water heater thermostat at mid-range. Dishwashers often have a setting that will heat water needed to sterilize dishes, if so, there is no need to set the water heater to a high temperature.
Repair any leaky faucets, especially hot water faucets.
U.S. Department of Energy and Almanac Staff