Monday, January 11, 2010

10 Ways to Save on Your Energy Bill

We got these tips in a neighborhood newsletter, and I actually hadn't heard of some of them before.  Thought I'd share. :)


Here ya go... 
10 Ways to Save on Your Energy Bill

1.Set your thermometer at 68 degrees or lower.  According to PSNC, for each degree above 68 degrees, your heating costs increase by 8 to 10 percent.

2.Replace or clean your HVAC filters once a month, or as needed.  This simple task along with #3 could improve your system's energy efficiency by as much as 10%.

3.Clean your warm-air registers and cool-air returns regularly by either dusting or vacuuming.  Make sure they are not blocked by furniture or drapes.

4.Use kitchen and bathroom ventilating fans wisely; in just one hour, these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed air.  Turn fans off as soon as they have done their job.

5.Keep doors to the outside closed.  Contrary to popular belief, storm doors are usually not very effective as heat transfer barriers.  Always close your primary door after entering or exiting your house.

6. Open shades and/or drapes on sunny winter days to help warm your house - especially any south-facing windows.  Keep curtains and shades closed at night or on cloudy days to help reduce the amount of heat that escapes.

7. Do not heat unused space in your home.  Close vents in extra rooms.  However, do not close more than 20 percent of the total number of vents that your home has.

8. Check the setting on the thermostat of your water heater.  Set it to "medium" or 120 degrees.  Heating water to a higher temperature than is needed not only increases your energy usage, but is a safety concern as well.

9. Have a licensed heating contractor inspect your system each year.   Most offer a service package to inspect twice a year.

10. Turn of all lights, televisions, radios, and appliances when not in use.

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for the tips. We usually keep our stat at around 63-64 and just bundle up...even then, we have a lot of big rooms in our home that doesn't warm up even with the heat on. And the smaller rooms get too hot.

    And if you like cinnamon, you will love horchata. It's a Mexican drink I believe. A lot of our friends have never had it before. Usually their first time is at our house.

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  2. Hmm, thanks for the tips! I didn't know about the 68 degrees thing . . .

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