Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Spring is here… Lower this month’s utility bill with these energy tips


We have seven of them for you:


1.
Air leaks, we need to reduce them immediately.  Caulking, sealing and weather stripping around your doors and windows Is a big one. This could save you 10% or more on your utility bill*.
2.
Exhaust fans in the bath or kitchen should be off when not in use. They are great for removing cooking odors and moisture, but they also remove air-conditioned air as well.
3.
Your refrigerator’s seals, are they airtight? Here is a quick test… close the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull that dollar out easily, the seals may need to be replaced.
4.
Are you upgrading an air conditioner system?  If so, choose a model that has two-stage cooling. These systems have a low setting that’s adequate to meet your cooling needs most of the time and another, higher setting, that will run longer as needed to produce more stable temperatures.
5.
Turn out the lights.  Any that are not needed can be turned off to save energy and reduce any added heat you’re A/C will have to remove. Incandescent bulbs generate a lot of heat, and also cost more energy. Consider replacing them with energy-efficient bulbs.
6.
Full loads only on the dishwasher will help as well. That also goes for the laundry room.
7.
Finally, enjoy a good BBQ as often as you like.  Keeping the heat of nightly cooking outdoors is a simple way to help cut the cooling costs this spring and on into the summer.
  *Source: www.energystar.gov