Low-cost home improvements

• Install high-performance showerheads and faucet aerators in all sinks. You can efficiently heat water and maintain water pressure.

• Service natural gas appliance and equipment annually. NW Natural Preferred Contractors can do this for you.

• Cover hot water pipes with insulation. Do the same with the first six feet of cold water pipes, too.

• Maintain caulking and weather stripping. Fix when you see cracks, and use around windows and doors.

• Fix dripping faucets. Any plumbing issues should be addressed immediately.

Free fixes

Keep furnace filters clean.

• A dirty filter slows air flow, makes the system work harder and wastes energy.
• Recommendation: Change your furnace filter at least four times during the fall/winter season.

Adjust vents.

• Make your adjustments based on the season and room location.
• For example, heat rises, so upstairs rooms need less of it.
• Recommendation: Don't close more than one or two vents in an average-sized house. 
• Restricting airflow can shorten the life of your furnace.

Limit use of ventilation fans.

• Use kitchen, bath and other fans only as needed, especially in winter.
• Recommendation: Never keep fans on for more than an hour. They can blow away a houseful of warm air.

Wash dishes and clothes with full loads only.

• Recommendation: Scrape food residue off plates instead of using water to rinse.
• Wash clothes with cold water.

Use draperies, awnings, blinds or shutters on all windows.

• It slows the loss of heat through the glass.
• Recommendation: In winter, keep window coverings open on sunny days and closed at night to insulate against cold outside temperatures.

Close dampers when not using your fireplace or woodstove.

• Recommendation: Wait until the fire is completely out, which could take several hours.

Upgrades

Save up to 30%* on:

• Heating and cooling costs when you seal air leaks and upgrade insulation in your home.
• Recommendation: Hire a contractor to pinpoint air leakage.

Save up to 15% on:

• Heating costs when you upgrade from a standard efficiency to a high-efficiency gas furnace.
• Recommendation: High-efficiency natural gas furnaces with a minimum 90% AFUE rating provide bigger energy savings.

Save up to 12% on:

• Household energy bills when you upgrade leaky windows.
• Recommendation: Look for high-efficiency windows that reduce condensation, and decrease drafts and air leaks.

Save 3%* on:

• Energy use with each degree you reduce the heat on your thermostat.
• Recommendation: Use a programmable thermostat that automatically reduces the heat at night or at times of day you're not home.

Save 3-5%* on:

• Energy costs with each 10-degree reduction in water temperature.
• Recommendation: Keep water heater temperature at 120 degrees, or 140 degrees if your dishwasher doesn't pre-heat water.

*Percentages agreed upon by Energy Trust of Oregon and NW Natural.