Welcome to the Dead River Company blog!

There is a lot of information in the news about the projected rising cost of heating your home this winter. As consumers, you can’t control the cost of energy, but you can take some steps to ensure your home is as efficient as possible. Check out our tips below for 11 ways to conserve fuel this winter – and every winter. Stay warm out there!

• Install a programmable thermostat. If you have one, revisit the settings. You can save as much as 10% a year on heating costs by lowering the temperature when you’re not around during the day or at night when you’re sleeping.
• Seal drafty doors – something as simple as foam tape around an external door can help significantly with cold air coming in. If air is coming in the bottom of the door, install an under-the-door sweep.
• Open window shades or curtains during the day when the sun is warm; close them when the sun goes down to reduce heat loss.
• Seal drafty windows. Did you know that heat loss through drafty windows is responsible for 25-30% of residential heating energy use? If you feel a draft around a window, caulk and weatherstrip your windows or install plastic using kits from your local hardware store. There are many older homes in New England – if your windows are more than 20 years old, consider replacing them to increase your home’s energy efficiency.
• Caulk any exterior gaps between windows and walls of your house. Be sure you have good insulation in exterior walls and ceilings or floors with cold spaces above or below.
• Close doors and/or air vents to any unused rooms. Or, if you have heating zones in unused spaces, keep the temperature down in those areas of the house. Be careful not to turn it down too low or your pipes may freeze.
• Close closet doors, kitchen vent and fireplace damper when not in use; cover tightly or remove air conditioning units and vents.
• Remove obstructions – move furniture away from radiators and heaters so your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard to heat your home.
• Set your ceiling fans to clockwise, this will push warm air back down into your living space. Just remember to turn it back in the spring.
• Get a tune-up – this ensures your heating system is working at peak performance and efficiency.
• Put on a warm sweater and slippers or sit under a blanket rather than turn up the heat. Consider a heated mattress pad or flannel sheets!