How much will I save with a nighttime temperature setback in the winter?
It depends on what kind of system your home has. If you have a heat pump, you will be better off setting your indoor thermostat at the lowest possible temperature needed for comfort and leaving it there. If you lower the thermostat five degrees at night, when you turn it back up in the morning, the electric heat strips (back-up heating system) will come on—costing energy dollars. The heat strip thermostat senses when there is a two-three degree difference between the thermostat setting and the inside temperature and automatically activates the heat strips to achieve the desired temperature.

With other types of systems, if you turn your thermostat back five degrees for an eight-hour period at night, on a regular basis, you will save approximately 11% on your total fuel bill. If your nighttime setback is 10 degrees, you will save approximately 15% on your total fuel bill.

Do I really save? Doesn't it just cost more to heat the house back up in the morning?
Yes, you do save. The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature in the morning is less than the amount needed to maintain the higher temperature for eight hours at night.

How often should I check furnace filters?
Filters should be checked monthly. Heating systems should be serviced annually. A well-maintained and clean furnace can cut your energy expense by 10% or more.

How does a heat pump work?
It's a simple machine that absorbs and moves heat to provide heating comfort in the winter and cooling comfort in the summer. It heats by taking heat that naturally exists outside—even in the winter—and pumping it inside. It cools by taking heat from the air inside you home and pumping it outside.

Do space heaters save energy?
Space heaters are electrical resistance heat and, therefore, are expensive to operate. It can be economical, however, to use a space heater in a small, unheated area such as a bathroom for short periods of time. It is cheaper to heat a small room with a space heater than to raise the temperature of the entire dwelling with the central system.

Should I close off unused areas of the house?
It depends. In older or poorly insulated dwellings, if you have unused rooms and areas, keep them closed off. If you have ducted warm air, however, closing of more than 15% of the total floor area may interfere with air circulation patterns in your home and cause your heating system to operate improperly. In new energy efficient homes, it does not save energy to close off supply vents or rooms. In fact it may cause problems to the central HVAC system.

Couldn't I save energy by using my fireplace along with the heating system in the winter?
No. If you're using the heating system, you are paying to heat your inside air. The fireplace uses inside conditioned air for combustion—pulling the expensively heated air right up the chimney. If you must use the fireplace and it does not have an outside air source, Greenville Utilities recommends closing off that room and leaving the window closest to the fireplace slightly open. This allows air to be drawn through without using conditioned air from the rest of the house.

The main reason a fireplace is considered an energy "waster" is that the damper must remain open for up to twenty-four hours after the fire dies down and begins to smolder. The heat loss through the chimney during this period far exceeds what was gained when the fire was burning. Remember, your chimney's "reason for existence" is to suck large volumes of air out of your house; and it does so, even with the damper closed.

Why is insulation important?
Proper insulation will help reduce heating and cooling costs because insulation prevents air from escaping.

What are the major areas of heat loss?
Air infiltration areas

How much insulation is needed?
The following are some suggestions:

• Floors - R-19
  Heat doesn't just rise; it goes from a warm surface to a cold surface, so it is beneficial to insulate floors. Fiberglass insulation is used. Carpeting adds an R-value of 1.3.
  
  
• Ceilings - R-38
  Insulate attic access doors—weather-stripping, too. (Attic access doors are often located right above the thermostat.)
  
  
• Walls - R-19
  If an older home does not have wall insulation, Greenville Utilities does not recommend insulating unless a total renovation is planned. Blown-in insulation is not always cost-effective for older homes with no wall insulation.
  
  
• Windows
  Storm windows add little R-value. Their benefit comes from reducing air-infiltration.
  • Caulk anywhere two different materials meet—brick and wood siding.
  • Weather-strip things that can move—doors.
  • If you are thinking about replacing the windows in your home, call the Energy Services office for help to determine how cost-effective it may or may not be.

What is the recommended temperature setting for my hot water heater?
Water heaters used to come from the factory pre-set between 140 and 160 degrees. Typically, they are now pre-set at 120 which is our recommended setting. A typical 52-gallon tank averages 500 gallons a week. By lowering the temperature from 150 degrees to 120 degrees, you save $160 a year.