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Tips to
save energy
Install
an insulating blanket to your hot water heater to improve energy
efficiency.
Reduce
the hot water temperature to 140 degrees or a warm setting.
Insulate
hot water pipes and cold water pipes.
Use
the energy-saving cycle on your dishwasher.
Use
cooler wash temperatures and faster spin cycles for your clothes.
Dry
at least two loads of clothes at a time to take advantage of the
heat still in the dryer.
Hang
clothes out on a clothesline on nice days.
Use
a crockpot whenever you can.
When
cooking on a stove, use the smallest pan necessary to get the job
done.
Keep
refrigerator doors closed and their magnetic seals intact.
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Don't
leave computers on when not in use. The monitor generates heat, and
you're wasting energy.
Try
to do dishwashing and laundry in the late evening well after the sun
has gone down or in the early morning. The cost of generating
electricity reduces after midnight through the early morning.
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 Increase
the amount of insulation in your attic. The higher the R-value of
insulation, the less energy it will take to heat or cool.
Insulate
your foundation walls. If your basement or crawl space is unheated,
insulate your floor joists.
Make
sure your windows have good seals and the window jams are tight.
This will reduce air infiltration.
Inspect,
repair or replace weather seal on doors to reduce air infiltration.
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Well-placed
planting and foliage surrounding your house can add beauty and save
your energy dollars.
Living
in the country is becoming increasingly popular. As we move out of
the cities into the less populated areas to enjoy the beauty of our
environment, we should keep in mind that protecting our environment
starts at home. Developing a microclimate around a rural home can
add beauty in a more comfortable environment and big savings in the
heating and cooling costs over time.
Windbreaks
and shade are essential to cutting the costs of heating and cooling
as well as providing longer life to the dwellings we live in.
Windbreaks or "shelterbelt planting" can account for up to
a 50 percent reduction in wind, which translates to a 20 to 40
percent reduction in heating costs. In calmer spots, wind barriers
will reduce fuel use by 10 percent or more. Windbreaks should be
placed at right angles to the prevailing winter winds. The windbreak
should be longer than the area to be protected. Even a few
well-placed trees can make a difference in your savings.
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Don't
move your thermostat temperature up and down during the day; try to
keep a consistent level of heating. Changing the thermostat
temperature back and forth to extremes causes your heater to work
harder, costing you more money.
You
can purchase a programmable set-back thermostat to raise and lower
the temperature automatically. Program it to lower the temperature
after you leave for work and then raise the temperature about an
hour before you arrive home. This works well in the summer when
you're cooling, too.
If
you're going to be out of town several days, lower your thermostat's
cooling temperature. Remember not to jeopardize your pet's health
while you are gone.
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Use
screw-in-type compact fluorescent bulbs rather than ordinary
incandescent household bulbs. You'll save between 75 and 80 percent
on energy per socket. Also, compact fluorescent bulbs last 10 to13
times longer and operate cooler than incandescent bulbs.
Remember:
When you permanently leave rooms in your house, turn the lights out
and appliances off, including the television and radio.
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