| Managing Energy Costs through conservation or | | | | weather strip where drafts are detected |
| through High-Efficiency Heating Equipment Rebate | | | | 8. Use ceiling fans: Use ceiling fans to increase air |
| Programs discussed here can save money. With | | | | movement and comfort levels and save money. |
| gas prices expected to soar this winter its more | | | | By changing the direction of your ceiling fan to |
| important than ever to change how we think and | | | | counter-clockwise in the winter, the fan will push |
| use energy. For a detailed audit, go to Lawrence | | | | rising warm air back into the living space. |
| Berkeley National Laboratory's Home Energy | | | | 9. Take advantage of the sun: Open shades on |
| Saver. | | | | the southern and eastern windows during the day. |
| Many Utilities are also offering energy rebate | | | | Close these shades when the sun goes down. |
| program,s to help share in the cost of an energy | | | | 10. High efficiency windows: If you are planning to |
| upgrade. Contact your local utility company and | | | | replace your windows, choosing Energy Star |
| see what programs are in place for energy saving | | | | windows can reduce your heating and cooling |
| programs. | | | | costs by up to 15 percent. |
| In some areas organizations have coordinated | | | | 11. Don't let heat go up the chimney: Keep it shut. |
| with the statewide and utility programs that | | | | Traditional fireplaces are an energy loser - it's best |
| provide energy efficiency programs and services. | | | | not to use them because they pull heated air out |
| The regional market transformation organizations | | | | of the house and up the chimney. When not in |
| in the US are: | | | | use, make absolutely sure the damper is closed. |
| * The Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships . | | | | 12. Turn off the pilot light: . If your heating |
| A regional nonprofit organization founded in 1996 | | | | system has a pilot light, turn it off during the |
| whose mission is to promote energy efficiency in | | | | summer. A pilot light typically costs $3-$5 per |
| homes, buildings and industry in the Northeast | | | | month to keep lit so why not turn it off when |
| through regionally coordinated programs. | | | | you aren't using it. Gas ranges with electronic |
| A list of participating utilities with energy efficiency | | | | ignition systems will use 40 percent less energy |
| programs for the North East can be found here | | | | than a standing pilot system. |
| at | | | | 13. Tune up your heating system: Have your |
| * Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance ( The | | | | heating system tuned and inspected by a service |
| Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance is a | | | | professional. Losses from a poorly maintained |
| non-profit corporation supported by electric | | | | system accumulate sometimes at a rate of 1-2% |
| utilities, public benefits administrators, state | | | | each year. |
| governments, public interest groups and energy | | | | 14. Insulate properly: Make sure that your wall and |
| efficiency industry representatives. | | | | attic are properly insulated. Adding fiberglass |
| * Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance ( The | | | | insulation in your attic is one of the most cost |
| Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is a | | | | effective savings measures and one that you can |
| collaborative network whose purpose is to | | | | do yourself. |
| advance energy efficiency in the Midwest in order | | | | 15. Seal Leaks: Leaks develop in all air ducts over |
| to support sustainable economic development and | | | | time. Sealing these leaks in ducts can reduce |
| environmental preservation. There are some | | | | heating costs by up to 20%. Keep filters clean, |
| energy efficiency incentives offered here at: | | | | they can block heat flows. |
| * Southwestern Energy Efficiency Partnerships ( | | | | 16. Use appliances efficiently: Do only full loads |
| The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project | | | | when using your dishwasher and clothes washer. |
| (SWEEP) is promoting greater energy efficiency in | | | | Use the cold water setting on your clothes |
| a six-state region. The following link: provides a list | | | | washer when you can. Using cold water reduces |
| of ongoing state, local, and utility policies and | | | | your washer's energy use by 75 percent. |
| programs to advance energy efficiency in each of | | | | 17. Lower your thermostat: Most energy experts |
| the Southwest states. | | | | recommend setting the thermostat to 68F or |
| 1. Purchase an efficient heating system: If you are | | | | less, and several degrees cooler overnight. Make |
| thinking about purchasing a new heating system, | | | | sure you lower you thermostat if you are leaving |
| look for energy star models. These are the most | | | | the house for any length of time. |
| energy efficient models on the market. | | | | 18. Conserve with a programmable thermostat: A |
| 2. Put your computer to sleep: Most computers | | | | programmable thermostat lets you easily lower |
| come with the power management features | | | | the thermostat during periods when no one is |
| turned off. Set your computer to go to sleep if | | | | home, as well as lower the temperature overnight |
| you're away from your machine for 15 minutes. | | | | without having to freeze in the morning while |
| 3. Replace Light Bulbs: Use a compact fluorescent | | | | waiting for the heat to rise. They start at $30 |
| bulb. It uses about one-fourth the energy an | | | | and can save you $100 in heating and cooling |
| incandescent uses with the same light quality and | | | | costs every year. |
| lasts 10 times as long. | | | | 18. Insulate your hot water pipes: Hot water |
| 4. Can't heat up faster: Your house won't warm | | | | heating systems use a network of pipes to |
| up any faster if you raise the thermostat setting. | | | | distribute heat through your house. Wrapping |
| When your heating system is on it runs at the | | | | pipes and your hot water heater with insulation is |
| same rate regardless of the temperature setting. | | | | easy to do and fairly inexpensive. Use foam or |
| 5. Keep doors closed: Shut the door each time | | | | fiberglass insulation with a wall thickness of 3/4 in. |
| you open the door cold air enters the house. | | | | for fiberglass and 1/2 in. for foam. |
| 6. Rearrange your rooms: Sit near interior walls, | | | | 19. Single pane windows: Not only are they |
| exterior walls and older windows are likely to be | | | | inefficient, but worn and dirty windows can be |
| cold and drafty. Close closets and cabinets - | | | | unsightly as well. Replacing them with |
| Closets and cabinets on outside walls can leak a | | | | energy-efficient windows is a major investment. |
| great deal of cold air, so make sure the doors fit | | | | 20. Insulate outlets: Electric outlets let cold air into |
| snuggly and keep them closed. | | | | the house. Remove the outlet covers and insert |
| 7. Caulk and weather strip: One of the quickest | | | | special insulation underneath. Use special insulating |
| dollar-saving tasks you can do is to caulk, seal and | | | | plugs in all outlets that are not being used. |