What Can Be Done at Home to Reduce Energy Costs?
• During the heating season, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) suggest keeping the draperies and shades on the south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight in and close at night to reduce the chilling effect from cold windows • Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed • According to DOE, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. To avoid wasting energy unplug the appliance or use a power strip to cut power to the appliance • When the fireplace is not in use, keep the flue damper tightly closed • Turn down the temperature of the water heater to the warm setting (120F) • Turn down the thermostat at night and when away from home. A household can save about 2% of its heating bill for each degree that the thermostat is lowered for at least 8 hours each day • Seal all window edges and cracks with rope caulk • Seal the duct system. To do this to one may want to use mastic, butyl tape, foil tap
