How do you save energy costs in your home?

MAKING YOUR HOME MORE ENERGY EFFECIENT

1. Lower or raise the thermostat before leaving or going to bed - a great way to do this automatically would be to Install a programmable thermostat - this device will allow you to set a schedule to adjust the temperature up or down a couple of degrees during the day when you are gone and at night when you are in bed and even better raise the temperature back before you have to get up.

2. Make sure the fireplace damper is closed when the fireplace is not in use and also a door across the fireplace opening will help

3. Make sure you have at least a R-30 attic insulation in place & R-19 under floors.

4. If you want you can also replace many if not all light bulbs with energy efficient ones.

5. Have your a/c-heating ductwork checked for leaks - this may well be one of the largest energy losses

6. Make sure the dryer ductwork is clean - the dryer will use less energy

7. Make sure the refrigerator coils are clean - the appliance will work better and use less energy

8. Keep your air filters clean or changed out for the Furnace.

9. Use the Dishwasher only when you have a full load and run it on normal wash instead of extended wash

10. Wrap the water heater

11. Put a timer on the water heater

12. Lower the temperature for the water heater - but not below 130 degrees

13. Keep in mind that you can use your ceiling fans in reverse during the winter

14. If you have a whole house fan or a basement box fan cover those when not in use

15. Replace weather stripping to help lessen air lose around doors.

16. Solar Screens during the summer to keep the heat from coming into the house.