In the winter, your heating system is probably your biggest energy user, accounting for 13-16% of your monthly bill. A gas central furnace (about 75¢ per hour) is always cheaper to run than an electric central furnace (about $1.85 per hour).
The best temperature for your heater's thermostat is 68°F or below. Before bedtime, turn it down to 55°F or lower (or even off) for more savings. And if you don't want to wake up to a cold house, let a setback thermostat turn the heat up an hour before you plan to wake up. If you have a heat pump, raising and lowering the thermostat could cause the electric heating strips to come on, significantly increasing your heating costs.
Finally, thermostats should never be turned up high to heat a home in a hurry. It won't heat your home any faster.
They're adjustable and you can control where heat goes. Try closing a few of the rooms you don't use, along with their heating vents. But, don't close off too many rooms, or your furnace won't operate as efficiently. Also, remember to leave the vent open nearest the thermostat to ensure a proper temperature reading.
If you're in the market for a new furnace, consider a high-efficiency gas furnace. It's less expensive to operate. If you have an electric furnace, consider buying a heat pump.
Keep doors and windows closed on chilly nights. Weather-strip and caulk your doors and windows. And when you're not using your fireplace, close the damper.
Weather-stripping and caulking can save as much as 6% of your heating costs.
It'll help keep the cold out. And, be sure to open them in the morning so the warmth of the sun can help warm your home.
Up to 20% of your heating can be lost through your ceiling. Which means you're paying for something you're not keeping. Proper insulation will keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The higher the "R value", the greater the insulating power. Your attic must also be adequately ventilated to prevent heat build-up in the summer and moisture build-up in the winter. Good insulation also helps prevent this build-up.
You can install insulation yourself or have a licensed insulation or roofing contractor assist you.
Installing R-19 ceiling insulation can cut heating costs by up to 20%. In some areas of San Diego County, R-30 insulation is recommended. Be sure to look into insulation carefully before buying.
A furnace with a dirty filter has to work harder to heat air for your home. Check filters at least twice during the heating season, and either vacuum or replace them. Also, check to see that heating vents are unobstructed so your system doesn't overwork itself getting heat into your home. Plus, it's a good idea to have your entire system checked yearly by a qualified heating contractor.
If you use more than one, you can use more energy and spend more money than if you had just used your gas furnace to heat your entire home. There is a time and a place for space heaters (when you're trying to heat one room, for example). But, it's not a good idea to use them throughout your home all at the same time.
Consider wearing layers of clothing inside the house. It'll keep your body heat in, and you won't need to turn up the heat.
If you're going on vacation, turn your gas furnace control to the "pilot" position. If you have electric ceiling heat, turn it off at the circuit breaker.