I've been doodling around the Recyclebank website more lately, and I came across this handy list of 9 tips to help green up your home's heating. What do you think? Anything new on the list that you hadn't thought of before or anything that just might work out for you or your family?
1. Assess your heating system. There's a small list of items to consider if you suspect that it just might be time to replace that furnace. Some items on this checklist include
*if your furnace is over 15 years old,
*if your heat pump is over 12 years old, or
*if you have a gas furnace that doesn't feature electonic or pilot-less ignition, which signifies that it was installed before 1992 and will be no more than 65% efficient (today's models are at least 80% efficient...how about those savings?).
2. Buy an EPA-certified wood stove. The site points out that "wood is misunderstood" and is carbon neutral.
3. Choose the right type of central heating.
4. Improve the performance of your heating system. This can be as simple as cleaning the filters or baseboards, registers, or radiators. Our family has found that the washable, reusable filters are a snap to clean and cost a fraction of regular, disposable filters.
5. Choose the right home heating fuel.
6. Heat with biodiesel.
7. Use passive solar. This strategy requires good southern sunlight, which many houses naturally have.
8. Program your thermostat for energy efficiency.
9. Install a heat pump.
Ideas to think about???
