October 9, 2007
Fall’s here, temperatures are dropping and the days are getting shorter. Before long, heating systems will soon be called back into action. To help customers prepare for the coming heating season, NSTAR has timely advice for keeping homes warm and energy efficient.
Prepare now with an in-home energy
assessment – No-cost energy assessments are
available to NSTAR customers. These walk-through
assessments are done by a skilled energy efficiency
specialist and include a thorough analysis of the home’s
energy use, advice for saving energy and information
about available rebates and financing. Customers are
encouraged to call 800-632-8300 for more information.
Switch to programmable thermostats – Programmable
thermostats automatically adjust the temperature by
using settings that residents can control. Recommended
settings are 68 degrees when the home is occupied and
lower overnight or when everyone is gone for the day.
Every degree a thermostat is lowered during an eight
hour period can save up to three percent on heating
bills. NSTAR offers a $25 rebate on qualifying
thermostat models.
Have heating systems inspected and cleaned – A
properly cleaned and adjusted heating system will run
more efficiently and save money. Old, inefficient
systems should be replaced. NSTAR customers can save
between $100 and $1,000 on a new system by taking
advantage of available rebates. Home heating protection
plans are also available for NSTAR Gas customers.
Repair or replace windows – Inefficient windows
can account for up to 25 percent of a home’s heating
bill. Simple steps to make windows more energy efficient
include repairing damaged glazing, adding
weather-stripping and installing insulating window
shades. Old, inefficient windows should be replaced with
Energy Star-labeled windows with high-performance glass.
Rebates and low-interest financing are available.
Consider adding insulation – Increasing a home’s
insulation is one of the fastest and most cost-effective
ways to reduce energy waste and make the most of energy
dollars. Investing in proper insulation and sealing air
leaks can reduce a home’s heating and cooling needs by
up to 10 percent. Low-interest financing is currently
available.
Remember the simple things – Some steps that
every resident can do on their own to save energy during
the heating season include: keep radiators or heating
vents dust-free and don’t block them with furniture or
draperies; keep shades and curtains open during the day
on the south side of the home to take advantage of solar
heating, but close them at night to retain the heat;
place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and
the wall to reflect heat back into the room.
NSTAR is the largest Massachusetts-based, investor-owned
electric and gas utility. The company transmits and
delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million
customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts,
including more than one million electric customers in 81
communities and 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities.
