Energy Efficiency experts Neil Kelly shared tips on how to stay warmer without spending much money:

Here are some tips that we received from PGE on staying warm:

1. Try setting your heat no higher than 68 degrees. Each degree you lower your thermostat saves an estimated 2 percent on your heating bill.

2. Drop the heat to 60 degrees at bedtime or when you are away from home for more than a few hours.

3. Check furnace filters every 2 months, and clean or replace them if dirty.

4. If you have zonal heat, such as baseboard or wall heaters, turn it down or off in unused rooms and close the doors. (But be aware that cooler rooms may be prone to mold and mildew issues.)

5. Move furniture and window coverings away from heating vents.

6. Seal air leaks with caulk and weatherstripping.

7. Close window coverings at night to keep warm air in.  Open them during the day to capture free solar heat.

8. Don’t use traditional wood burning fireplaces for supplemental heating.  It draws heated air out of your home, making your heating system work harder.

9. Turn off kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans as soon as they’ve done their job.  Otherwise, they waste energy and suck heated air out of your home.  (It is important to get the moist air out of the home though, consider a timer switch for the fans)

10. If you don’t have high efficiency windows or storm windows (or Indow Windows) yet, consider installing do it yourself plastic film storm windows.

There are a few things that I believe they left off.  Install a carbon monoxide detector if you have any combustion appliances in your home, i.e.fireplace, gas cooking, gas water heater or furnace.  Weather strip attic access hatches and doors.  Make sure the fireplace damper is closed when not in use.

If you are looking to take your comfort and efficiency to the next level, visit our website to learn about Clean Energy Works Oregon (CEWO).  CEWO is a non-profit program that packages no money out of pocket loans with low interest rates to get your house in tip top shape by installing insulation, windows, high efficiency furnaces and heat pumps, insulation, air sealing, and appropriate safety measures.