Heating


Home heating systems:

When Buying:A furnace is one type of home heating system

  • Purchase high-efficiency equipment to decrease energy use and save money. Look for the ENERGY STAR label.
  • Upgrade your home heating system using the whole-house systems approach. By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with recommended insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can save about 30% on your energy bill while reducing environmental emissions.

Tips for Use:

  • Set your programmable thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and lower the setpoint when you’re sleeping or away from home.
  • Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as recommended.
  • Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
  • Open curtains on the south-facing windows to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to prevent heat from escaping.
  • Reverse the spin of ceiling fans to clockwise and adjust to the lowest setting to send warm air down into the living area.
  • Consider regularly scheduling a time for servicing your furnace. The filter should be changed once a month during the winter.
  • If you have a fireplace, ensure the damper is tightly closed when not in use to prevent energy flowing out of your house.

Back to Top


Office of Sustainability
312-314 Corbett Hall
Orono, Maine 04469-5774
Tel: 207.581.1571
sustainability@maine.edu