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Tips to Help Lower Your Heating and Cooling Bills
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While we don't have control over the cost of fuel, we do have some control over how much energy we use to heat and cool our homes. Saving energy equals saving money. It's that simple!
If you haven’t done so already, consider installing a programmable thermostat. According to the Department of Energy, if you turn your thermostat back 10 degrees for two eight-hour periods a day during the heating season, you can save up to 30% on your energy bill. Turning it back 10 degrees for only one eight-hour period will save 10 to 15 percent.
In the summer, if you turn your thermostat up 5 degrees for two 8 hour periods a day, you will save up to 25% on your energy bill.
Manually turning thermostats up and down takes time, not to mention we have to remember to do it! Programmable thermostats do the work and remembering for us automatically -- according to our needs. Now if it could only cook, too!
Programmable thermostats are not difficult to install, however each model varies slightly, so be sure to follow the directions that pertain to your particular model. Also, before buying and installing, be sure the thermostat will be compatible with your heating system.
Other areas where you can save money and keep the energy you're paying for inside your home where it belongs -- pay attention to your windows and doors, apply caulk, insulate, and maintain your furnace. By the way, it costs more to cool air one degree than it does to heat it one degree. So it's even more important to cut your home's energy costs in the summer!
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Doors and Windows
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Doors and windows are where most energy is lost because they require about 1/8" clearance around each frame in order to open and close smoothly. That 1/8" really adds up -- for each window or door, the space for clearance adds up to the size of one brick. The average house has anywhere from 12 to 20 doors and windows. So if you don't install weather stripping around windows and doors, you are fighting a hole equal to the size of 12 to 20 bricks!
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Install weather stripping - Weather stripping is the finishing touch to fill the space around doors and windows. There are many types; any of them will help save money.
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Removable/reusable weather stripping: This temporary sealer can be used if you can slip a dime between the window and the sill. |
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Foam weather stripping (a self-adhesive insulator): When the door is closed, it will compress the foam, filling the space and preventing heated and cooled air from escaping. |
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V-seal (a self-adhesive insulator): V-seal is flexible and will fill those gaps between door and frame. Make sure the point of the "V" is headed back into the room. |
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Door sweeps: Attached to the bottom of a door. Available in self-adhesive or with screws. The easiest kind to install is the self-adhesive. |
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Plastic window insulating kit: Seals and stops drafts from entering through the space around the window frame. Easy to install, especially with the newer models that have tape attached to the top -- you simply roll the pre-taped plastic across the top of the window, cut it to size, and press into double-sided tape along the bottom and sides. Use a hair dryer to shrink the plastic and eliminate any wrinkles. |
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Glazing compound (putty): Seals glass or plastic panels in their frames in doors or windows to keep them from rattling. |
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Apply Caulking - Caulking tiny cracks and crevices around a house can save hundreds of dollars on heating and cooling bills. Just be sure to check package directions -- many caulks need to be applied when the outside temperature is above 50 degrees.
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Apply caulk around plumbing pipes, gas pipes, electrical wiring, dryer vents, etc., where they enter the house. |
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Caulk joints anywhere two surfaces meet. Where bricks, chimney or trim meet the siding. Around window and door frames. |
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Maintain Your Furnace - Have your furnace checked by a licensed NATE certified professional annually – regular check-ups will keep a furnace running at 100 percent efficiency and will add years to the life of the appliance. (To find a NATE Certified Technician Click here)
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Clean permanent furnace & air conditioner filters, OR replace disposable filters, monthly, or as recommended by the manufacturer. (Check out high-efficiency filters that meet the American Lung Association Health House program guidelines click here) http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/filtrete/53_create.jhtml |
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Close off radiators or registers and close hoods to unused rooms to save on heating and cooling. |
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Seal and cover window air conditioners in winter months. |
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Have furnace tested for combustion efficiency every two years. |
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Be Sure Your Insulation Is Up to Snuff - Check with your local building department to see what the recommended "R" value is for your part of the country and bring your home up to these recommendations. Heat rises, so first place to check and add insulation is in the attic. Also, install foam insulating gaskets under electrical outlet and switch plates on exterior walls.
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Tips to Improve Air Quality
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During the winter we spend more time inside and according to the EPA air pollution can be 100 times higher inside than outside this time of year. These pollutants can contribute to the development of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma. In addition, it can cause headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue. People who already have respiratory diseases are at greater risk. An easy way to help trap and remove pollutants, such as dirt, dust, smoke, soot, pollen and pet dander – is to use the most efficient filters available in our vacuums and furnaces!
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Vacuum: Some manufacturers of vacuum filters for bag-less vacuums make their filters from a space-age membrane material that traps up to 99.7 percent of the dust and dirt pulled into the vacuum. The dust particles are trapped on the surface of this type filter and with just a tap, tap, tap, the filter is cleaned and can be reused. Traditional filters can become clogged because the pollutants are trapped within the pores & fibers of the filter material. A clogged filter reduces suction power of a vacuum, so your home isn’t as clean as you think it is! (More tips to help improve air quality and to check out space-age vacuum filters click here)
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Furnace: Use a high- efficiency filter in your furnace, such as 3M's Filtrete, which meets the American Lung Association Health House program guidelines. (Change it every 2 – 3 months). These high-efficiency filters are much more effective than standard fiberglass filters, capturing up to 30 times more smoke, pollen, pet dander and other allergens. This is especially important if someone in your home has allergies, such as hay fever, or asthma. (To check out High-efficiency filters and get more tips for creating a healthier home, click here)
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Tips for a Safe Home
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95% of us have at least one smoke detector in our home, however less than half of us change the batteries regularly. Most fatal home fires happen during the winter, so one of the best advice is to change the batteries in the fall. One way to remind ourselves to do this quick and easy chore is to do it when you change your clocks back to Standard Time. In fact The American Red Cross urges us to change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the spring and fall – as you change your clocks. Use dependable, long lasting batteries, such as Duracell, and test detectors monthly, say on the first of every month, to make sure they are in working order. It’s recommended that smoke detectors be replaced every 10 years. (For more information and tips for keeping your family safe, click here.)
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Tips for Carpet
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Blot spills immediately using a clean white towel or white paper towel. Be gentle, never rub, scrub or use a brush when battling tough stains.
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Place entrance mats inside and outside entrances to trap dirt, mud and snow before it gets tracked into the home and onto the carpet.
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To help make clean up of mud, spills, pet messes and other catastrophes from carpet, purchase carpet that has been treated with Scotchgard™ Protector. This clear finish helps repel spills and stains to keep carpet (and fabric) looking good longer.
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For maximum protection, after thoroughly cleaning and removing stains from carpet (and upholstery), be sure to reapply Scotchgard™ - dries in 24 hours.
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(For a chart on carpet stain removal, click here.)
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Link to Manufacturers/Associations
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Vacuum Filter: Clean Stream Filter from Gore www.cleanstream.com
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Carpet & Fabric Treatment: Scotchgard Protector www.scotchgard.com
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Batteries: Duracell www.duracell.com
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NATE Certified Technicians: www.natex.org
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Furnace Filter: 3M Filtrete www.filtrete.com
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American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
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