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‘Tis the season of giving and perhaps no song celebrates that better than the Christmas classic: “The 12 Days of Christmas.” So, we thought it would be fun to gift you with 12 Days of Energy Efficiency tips to stay warm and save this holiday season:

Day 1 of Energy Efficiency:  Install a programmable thermostat

  • Homeowners can save about $180 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings.

Day 2 of Energy Savings:  Set temperature for heating season   

  • You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit or as low as is possible while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home. 

Day 3 of Energy Savings:  Add layers to keep warm

  • On cold winter nights, put on a cozy sweater and warm socks. You can also add an extra blanket on the bed and lower your thermostat another degree or two to save even more.

Day 4 of Energy Savings:  Add moisture to the air

  • Typically, humidifiers are run during colder months when various types of heating systems tend to dry out the air in your home. Moist air feels warmer and holds heat better, so a humidifier can help you feel comfortable when your thermostat is set at a lower temperature. 

Day 5 of Energy Savings:  Change blade direction

  • In the winter, reverse the motor and operate ceiling fans at low speed in the clockwise direction. This produces a gentle updraft, which forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space. Remember to adjust your thermostat when using your ceiling fan for additional energy and dollar savings!

Day 6 of Energy Savings:  Seal Then Insulate

  • Sealing air leaks around your home and adding insulation as needed can help your home be more comfortable and energy efficient and save up to $200 on your annual energy bills. Simple fixes include installing weather stripping on doors and caulking around windows.

Day 7 of Energy Efficiency:  Don’t block registers

  • Make sure that rugs, drapes or furniture are not blocking air flow to heating- registers or baseboard heaters and at a minimum, change your air filters every three months. 

Day 8 of Energy Efficiency:  Close fireplace damper

  • If you have a fireplace, make sure to keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney.

Day 9 of Energy Efficiency:  Cover and insulate your windows

  • Install low-cost, clear plastic window sheeting over leaking windows to keep cold air out. The plastic must be sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration. 

Day 10 of Energy Efficiency:  Use the heat from the sun

  • In the winter, keep drapes and blinds on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to warm your home and closed at night to reduce the chill and drafts.

Day 11 of Energy Efficiency:  Seal ductwork

  • Check your ductwork for air leaks, especially at joints. Start by sealing air leaks using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulating all the ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages). Never use duct tape, as it is not long-lasting.

Day 12 of Energy Efficiency:  Install storm windows 

  • During the winter months, replace your screens with storm windows to provide an extra barrier to the cold outside air.

We hope that these tips will help towards a holiday season of energy and cost-savings that will go a long way!  For more heating tips go to dteenergy.com/staywarm