Save Your Energy Dollars From Going Up the Chimney
If you are like me, you enjoy sitting in front of an open fireplace, it’s a link to countless generations that have come before.
But there’s a BIG problem with using a fireplace…
…improperly sealed dampers.
You wouldn’t have a door without weatherstripping — so why have a damper with a metal to metal seal?
We had one of those dampers in our fireplace.
Sitting and watching TV there was a cold draft on the floor making the room uncomfortable.
Most of the time the fireplace is not being used and the damper is closed.
Studies have shown that a new damper can leak up to $200 of your energy dollars per year. Imagine what a old corroded and warped damper is costing you.
I discovered the Lyemance Top Seal Chimney Cap Damper 13×13
The damper has a gasket that seals it shut just like a well fitting storm door and it is fixed to the top of the chimney with silicone cement.
It is operated by a stainless steel cable that runs down the flue to a latch that is installed on the side of the firebox.
Since the damper is at the top of the chimney it keeps the weather and our furry friends out of the chimney. The hardest part of the installation was getting the ladder out. It took about 45 minutes from start to finish, there was snow on the roof afterall.
The results were immediate, the draft is gone, the room is warm and comfortable and my wallet a bit thicker.
Should I Use a Programmable Thermostat?
The easiest way to save heating dollars is to lower the temperature setting on your house thermostat, when possible.
As a general rule, you will save 2 percent on your heating bill for every 2°F you turn down the thermostat overnight.
Programmable thermostats have electronic timers that allow you to preset household temperatures for specific periods of the day and night. In a typical application, you could program the thermostat to reduce the temperature an hour before you go to bed and to increase it before you get up in the morning. You could also program it to reduce the temperature for any period during the day when the house is unoccupied and to restore the temperature shortly before you return.
For example, you could have the temperature set at 17°C (63°F) when you are sleeping or not at home and at 20°C (68°F) when you are awake and at home. Experiment with the unit until you find the most comfortable and economical routine for you and your family.
Programmable thermostats that are ENERGY STAR qualified are required to offer at least four possible daily temperature settings (e.g., wake, day, evening, sleep) for at least two different program periods (e.g., weekdays and weekends).
A hold feature allows you to temporarily override the program for a period such as a vacation.
The thermostat will include instructions for the installer to adjust the cycle to suit your heating/cooling equipment. It will come pre-programmed with recommended temperature settings, but you may readily change them to suit your comfort and daily schedule.
Check for additional features that allow you to:
- store and repeat additional daily settings that can be run and changed without affecting the regular settings
- store more than four daily temperature settings
- adjust heating and cooling turn-on times in response to o side temperature changes
Energy Poll: Have You Had a Home Energy Audit?
We’d like to know – have you had a professional home energy audit done on your house?Participate in the survey below and feel free to leave a comment at the end of this post.
Loading ...Energy Poll: Nightime Thermostat Settings
What temperature do you keep your thermostat set at when you’re home at night?Do you need to use a heated mattress pad or can you doff the sheets?
Let us know by participating in the poll below.
Loading ...Energy Poll: Daytime Thermostat Settings
We were wondering – What temperature do you keep your thermostat set at when you’re home during the day? Is it frigid or tropical. Let us know by participating in the poll below. Loading ...