Heating and cooling costs account for 44 percent of a home’s total energy expense according to the U. S. Department of Energy. Another 14 percent of a home’s energy usage is used to heat water. So in the interest of energy conservation and reducing electric bills, efficiency your cooperative experts offer these simple, energy saving tips.

Heating System - If you haven’t done so already, have a qualified technician inspect and service your system to ensure it’s safe and working at peak efficiency. Trim or remove grass, weeds, leaves, etc. from around the outdoor unit of your heating system. When airflow is blocked, it puts a strain on the system and lowers efficiency.

If you have a forced-air heating system, clean or replace the filter monthly and keep heat vents open and unobstructed by furniture. If you have a gas or oil furnace, consider adding a high-efficiency heat pump. It could save you up to 40 percent on heating costs and keep you cool next summer.

Thermostat - Install a programmable thermostat. The energy savings will offset the cost of a basic unit in less than a year. Programming your thermostat from 72 degrees to 65 degrees for eight hours a day while no one is home, or while everyone is tucked in bed, will cut your heating bill up to 10 percent.
If you have a standard thermostat, set it at 68 degrees and lower one degree until comfortable. For every degree you lower the thermostat, you can gain as much as a three percent savings in energy costs.

Insulation - Check the insulation in the attic, ceilings, floors, exterior and basement walls or crawl space to make sure it’s in tip-top shape and at the recommended levels for your area. If your home is not adequately insulated, have additional insulation professionally installed. Insulate heating ducts and keep them in good repair to prevent heat loss. The system can lose up to 60 percent of its warmed air before it reaches the register if ducts are not properly insulated in unheated areas such as attics and crawlspaces. Insulating the hot water heater and hot water pipes can also provide significant energy and money savings.

Air Leaks and Ventilation - Test your home for air leaks. You can save 10 percent or more on your energy bill by reducing the air leaks in your home. On a windy day, stand next to windows, doors, electrical outlets, and light fixtures. If you can feel a draft, you have an air leak that may need caulking, sealing, or weather stripping. Ventilation exhaust fans are often overlooked, but in just one hour, kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans can pull out a houseful of warmed air. Turn off ventilation exhaust fans as soon as they’ve done the job.

Look for the Energy Star - Cut your energy bills by up to 30 percent with Energy Star-labeled products when replacing your heating and cooling systems, as well as appliances, lighting, windows, office equipment and home electronics.

We hope you find these tips useful.

If you have questions regarding any of our energy resources, tips, or suggestions please call our office at 205.468.3325.