Energy Saving Tips

Conservation begins with each of us. By using energy wisely, you will not only save money, you’ll be helping the environment. Here are some energy-saving tips:

Ø Many doorways have large gaps along the door frame and the threshold – letting in lots of outside air. You can solve this problem by installing or replacing weather stripping around the door and along the threshold. If the gap at the bottom of the door is quite large, you may also want to replace your threshold with a door shoe gasket – available at most hardware stores.

Ø If your wooden windows aren’t tightly sealed, apply glazing compound where the window glass meets the frame, and seal where the frame meets the house. If you have aluminum windows, you may need to replace the weather stripping. You may also want to consider double-paned windows with a low-emissivity coating which helps keep heat inside in the winter and reflect the sun’s rays in the summer.

Ø Sealing the space behind your light switches and outlet plates with a foam gasket will prevent air from coming through the wall space. This should be done even on interior walls – available at most hardware stores.

Ø Insulating your ceiling is an easy and effective way to cut your heating and cooling bills. In fact, if your attic is not insulated now, insulating it to R-30 could yield as much as a 20% to 30% reduction in your heating costs.

Ø When buying a new appliance, analyze your energy needs beforehand. Choosing the right-sized appliance for your needs will save energy and money.

Ø Be sure to read the yellow Energy Guide label on major appliances before buying them. Higher-efficiency appliances may cost a little more, but they will save you money in the long run. In most cases, you will find that natural gas appliances are your most cost-effective choice.

Ø Keep your appliances in good working order to maintain their peak efficiency.

Ø Open the oven door no more than absolutely necessary when cooking or baking. An oven loses about 20 percent of its heat every time its door is opened.

Ø Defrost refrigerators and freezers before ice buildup becomes 1/4 –inch thick.

Ø Clean your dryer’s lint filter after each load, because a screen blocked by lint can increase drying time.

Ø Clean or replace furnace and air-conditioner filters regularly, following manufacturer’s instructions.

Ø Insulate your water heater, especially if it is outside or in an unheated space like a garage. (Newer models may be self-insulated, so check guidelines first.)

Ø Set the furnace thermostat at 68 degrees or lower, and the air-conditioner thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, health permitting. Three to five percent more energy is used for each degree the furnace is set above 68 and for each degree the air conditioner is set below 78 degrees.

Ø Install programmable thermostats to turn your heating and cooling system on and off at pre-programmed intervals for maximum comfort control. Wake up to a warmer house in the summer and come home to a cooler house in the summer. These programmable units let you regulate the amount your furnace or air conditioner runs while you are asleep or away from the house.

Ø Set the water heater thermostat at 140 degrees or “normal” if you have a dishwasher. Otherwise, set it at 120 degrees or “low”. Check your dishwater to see if you can use 120 degree water. Follow the manufacturer’s direction on yearly maintenance to extend the life of your unit.

Ø Fix defective plumbing or dripping faucets. A single dripping hot water faucet can waste 212 gallons of water a month. That not only increases water bills, but also increases the gas or electric bill for heating the water.