Easy Energy - Heating and Hot Water

This video shows the priorities and basics of energy efficiency in the home. This episode focuses on heating systems and hot water. Find out the practical steps you can take to lower your utility bills, save money and help curb climate change. Don't waste time on time-consuming or expensive measures that only help a little. Start with the basics that are sure to pay off. And while this is geared toward homeowners, lots applies to renters as well.

These were produced by WARM Training Center (www.warmtraining.org) and Michigan Interfaith Power and Light (www.miipl.org).

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• energy
• savings
• utility
• bills
• climate
• change
• green
• building
• howto
• furnace
• heating
• system
• hot
• water
• tank

[jcorvidae]

It depends on the house. In some cases, closing the vents might effect the balance of the system, but typically it shouldn't cause any trouble, and generally will help.

Better than closing the vents, is to actually close the air flow to the entire run of duct. This is typically controlled in the basement with a lever on the ductwork. Turn the lever perpendicular to the duct run to close off air flow to that duct. Just make sure you know which room(s) that ductwork runs to.

[iamitchey]

I was told by a gentleman in the heating business that closing room heater vents doesn't save you any energy as one might hope, and may cause additional problems in the heating systems.

[danstheman3]

Also seal all the seams and joints in air ducts, using foil tape or mastic(Not Duck tape!)- leaky ducts can waste up to 40% of heating/cooling energy