About 60% of your total energy usage comes from heating and cooling; another 20% results from heating your water, and the other 20% comes from appliances and lighting.

Lowering your gas furnace thermostat a couple of degrees from your normal setting could translate into a winter monthly cost savings in electricity as well as gas, since your gas “forced air” furnace still needs a fan connected to an electric motor to push the air throughout the house.  Every degree you dial back on your thermostat can save 2-3% on heating.