| Some simple
ways to reduce energy bills:
• Get a professional tune up yearly.
• Keep areas around heating supply and return
vents open and clear of obstructions.
• Before the heating season begins, remove the
dust from the heating fins in your baseboards by vacuuming
and using a soft brush.
• Place metal or cardboard covered in foil behind
radiators to "bounce" heat in the room.
• A ceiling fan will circulate air in a room
and save money all year long. In the winter, it will
push warm air down and, in the summer, the air will
feel cooler.
• Remove window air conditioner units.
How to reduce your hot water bills:
• If unit is located in an unheated
area, insulate it with a water heater jacket. Read
instructions carefully.
• Buy a new, more efficient water heater. Consider
an on-demand system.
• Fix hot water leaks immediately. One drop
of water per second in one month is equal to approximately
16 baths.
• Install a low flow showerhead; you will use
about one-third less water per shower.
Thermostats:
• Do not install near a heat source
such as stoves, televisions or refrigerators; your
home will be colder than indicated on the thermostat.
• Do not install near outside doors or windows
that are opened often; your home will be hotter than
indicated on the thermostat.
• Install a programmable thermostat to regulate
temperatures when you are not home. You can save up
to 10% if you program the heat down for 8 hours per
day.
Windows:
• Consider replacing windows that have
rotting wood, poor sealing or cracked glass.
• Install plastic window kits; some you "shrink"
with a hair dryer so the view is not obstructed.
• Close blinds and curtains to retain heat in
the winter. Put weights at the bottom of the curtain
to keep closed and close to the wall.
• Replace old or cracked caulk or weather stripping. |
