You can increase the energy efficiency of your heating system with these three simple and inexpensive DIY improvements.

Programmable thermostats

• Installing a programmable thermostat is a simple job.
• A programmable thermostat will save a lot of money and greatly improve your home's energy efficiency without a change in your personal comfort.
• An easy to read large touch screen and simple to use programmable thermostat will cost about twice as much as a good standard unit. It is a worthwhile investment because it directly improves ease of use.
• The simple wiring to install a programmable thermostat is clearly shown with many illustrations in the installation instructions.
• White-Rogers makes a solid, inexpensive, simple to use, and easy to program thermostat that will quickly pay for itself by increasing the energy efficiency of your heating system.
• Program the heat to come on shortly before you get up in the morning and before you typically come home. Set a base line temperature for night and when you are not home.
• You can easily override the programmed energy conservation settings at any time.

Furnace Filters

• Dust mites live on the human skin exfoliation and pet dander that comprise a large percentage of common "dust".

• A high quality furnace filter will reduce air borne organisms and the "dust" food they live on. Pollen and pollutants will also be reduced. And, your home will be cleaner with less effort.
• A clean high quality furnace filter is of particular importance for persons with allergies, frequent colds, or chronic illness.
• Plugged up furnace filters greatly increase your cost of heating by reducing the energy efficiency of your furnace.
• High quality furnace filters are worth the extra cost.
• The cheap fiberglass disposable filters are not good enough to protect the health of your family. Washable filters are as bad as the cheap fiberglass filters.
• Insulation.com recommends disposable high-efficiency pleated furnace filters. They are thirty (30) times more efficient than the standard cheap fiberglass furnace filters.
Disposable Furnace Filters
• Be sure the filter size is correct. Do not assume the presently installed furnace filter is the correct size.

• Install the filter so that it is facing the direction of airflow. Be certain that air cannot go around the edges of the filter. If needed, use metal furnace tape to hold the furnace filter in place.
• If your furnace has a slide in holder for the filter, be sure it is not leaking air. Use metal furnace tape on the outside of the slot to stop air leaks and increase energy efficiency.
• Change the filter every month the furnace is in use to maintain good energy conservation and clean air.
• Buy several furnace filters at the same time and store the extras next to the furnace. Tape a piece of paper to the furnace to record the dates the filter was changed.
• Furnace Filters are cheap and easy to change. But, they are hard to remember. So, put a recurring reminder on your computerized or paper calendar.
• Or, change filters when you pay the bills each month. The energy savings will help pay the bill !

Cold Air Return

• Cold air returns are a common source of large air leaks.
• Cold and polluted air is pulled from under the house or attic and mixed with living space air coming back to the furnace for re-heating.
• If your cold air return is metal ducting, then completely seal all seams and joints with duct mastic and metal furnace tape to stop all air leaks and gain good energy conservation.
  
• Then insulate the outside of the metal cold air return to at least R-8 using the quality products and general process described in DIY Duct Insulation.
• Wooden cold air returns generally lack any insulation and commonly have large holes and small air gaps to the crawl space or the attic. The air leaks combine to substantially compromise the energy efficiency of the heating system.
• Treat both the inside and outside wooden surfaces to the extent are accessible.
• Insulate the outside of the cold air return with the insulation products and methods described on the DIY Duct Insulation page.
• Fill the large holes with canned low expansion spray foam insulation. Trim the spray foam insulation after it is fully cured.
• Patch large holes with oversized pieces of metal flashing that are sealed in place with construction glue so all edges are tight. Add screws or nails as possible.
• Do not reduce the space for airflow back to the furnace. Do not restrict the combustion airflow required by the furnace. Do not put fiberglass in any place where the air you breathe will be moving over it.
• After sealing all seams, cracks, and holes with caulk or spray foam insulation, coat the entire inside surface of the wooden cold air return, including any metal hole patches, with a thick coat of quality duct mastic as described in DIY Duct Insulation.
• If the outside of your cold air return has flat surfaces, then consider applying one or more layers of R-8 per inch polyisocyanurate or Polyurethane foam board insulation. Use low expansion spray foam insulation and quality metal tape to seal all edges and seams to eliminate any air gaps.

Summary

• These three energy conservation steps cost little in time and money.
• They will save you money every month by increasing the total energy efficiency of your heating system.