Check windows and doors.
and doors represents a significant chunk of most
heating bills. Some sources estimate that loss through
windows alone could account for up to 35 percent
of heating bills. If you are tired of watching your hard
earned money slip through the cracks, there are things
that you can do:Check around windows and doors with a candle or a light
piece of thread on a windy day to determine where drafts are.
This will reveal problem areas in need of immediate attention.
Remove and replace damaged caulk and weather-stripping.
Self-stick foam and rolled rubber weather-stripping are
easy to install, and can contribute greatly to your home’s
efficiency.
An inexpensive method of weatherizing windows involves attaching
thin, clear plastic film to the window trim inside of the
house using two-sided tape. The film is then stretched taut
using heat from a blow dryer to remove wrinkles and creases.
Decorate your windows with efficiency — closed shutters,
window shades, blinds, curtains and lined draperies. All contribute
to energy savings by helping to insulate windows.
For a long-range solution, consider installing efficient replacement
windows, or storm windows and doors.Conserve with ENERGY STAR.
STAR for every application in your home, you can save
up to 20 percent or about $400 per year on your energy
bills. Appliances account for about 20 percent of yourhousehold’s energy consumption, with the refrigerator
and clothes dryer being the biggest culprits. A typical
household does nearly 400 loads of laundry per year,
using about 40 gallons of water per full load with a conventional
washer. An ENERGY STAR qualified clothes
washer uses 18-25 gallons per load, saving you 7,000
gallons of water! An ENERGY STAR refrigerator uses
less energy than a 75-watt bulb, saving you between
$30-$70 a year.See the light.
most energy-efficient of all light bulbs. They use 67 percent
less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and
last longer: They cost more, but last up to sixteen times
longer than incandescent bulbs.Programmable thermostats
by lowering energy use during those times when you do
not need it. A programmable thermostat can tell your
home’s heating system to gear up for your arrival after
work, or to knock off a bit until an hour or so before you
get up in the morning.Turn down your water heater to 120° F
to 50 percent of a household’s hot water costs. Electric
heaters benefit most from this approach to saving energy.
Timers are also available which allow you to make the water
heater conform to your water usage schedule. They
prevent the water heater from trying to maintain hot water
during periods when it is never used.and save uphelp reduce energy costsCompact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) are the® By choosing ENERGY
No comments:
Post a Comment