As the days get colder, you?re probably looking for ways to reduce your family?s energy usage while keeping everyone comfortable and warm. We recently received a list of the ?Top 5 Energy Savers for Your Home? from Energy Trust of Oregon, so we thought we?d pass the information along to our readers.
1. Seal up places where air escapes and add insulation: Most homes waste up to 60 percent of the energy they use due to hidden energy wasters such as air leaks, duct leaks and lack of insulation. In fact, the small gaps, cracks and leaks in a typical home can add up to the same loss of energy and comfort as leaving a window open year round, and only 20 percent of homes built before 1980 are properly insulated. Sealing air and duct leaks and adding insulation can dramatically increase comfort and save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs.
Use caulk or spray foam to seal up small holes and cracks around plumbing pipes, exhaust fans, dryer vents, sink and bathtub drains, fireplaces and under counter tops. Use weather stripping and door sweeps to seal up drafty windows and doors. A professional contractor also can be hired to test a home for air leaks and professionally seal your home.
Insulating a home?s floors, walls and attic not only helps to reduce heating and cooling costs but can improve comfort throughout the year and reduce outside noise, too. Energy Trust offers cash incentives to help with the cost of sealing and insulating a qualified home from top to bottom.
2. Turn down the heat: The heating system is the single biggest energy expense in most homes. To help save on costs, try lowering the heat at night or while the house is unoccupied. Homeowners and renters can save up to 3 percent for each degree of reduction. Using a programmable thermostat can help to make changes automatically.
Be sure to check air filters every month during the heavy use months of fall and winter. If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every three months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder and waste energy.
3. Save water, save energy: Water heating is the second largest energy expense in most homes. In fact, 20 to 30 percent of a home?s energy is used to heat water. That?s as much or more energy than most homeowners use for their appliances, electronics and lights combined.
To help trim costs, set the water heater to a maximum of 120 degrees (or 140 degrees if your dishwasher does not pre-heat water). Each 10 degree reduction in water temperature can save 3 to 5 percent in energy costs. When doing laundry, use the cold setting for both washing and rinsing.
Wasting water also wastes energy. The biggest culprit is the daily shower, which can waste up to 2,300 gallons of water a year in an average household. Switching to a water-saving WaterSense labeled showerhead can save up to $44 a year in energy and water costs. A water-saving faucet aerator can save up to $15 a year. Discounts on water-saving showerheads are available from Energy Trust at retailers statewide. See a list of participating stores at energytrust.org/showerheads.
4. Check lighting: Switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient lighting at home is the easiest, most cost-effective way consumers can save energy, money and protect the environment. One ENERGY STAR? rated compact fluorescent light bulb uses about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer. Replacing the bulbs in a home?s five most frequently used light fixtures (about 12 bulbs) with ENERGY STAR CFLs can save up to $72 each year.
CFLs come in an array of tones from warm to cool, and are even made for specialty fixtures, such as chandeliers, recessed lights and three-way lamps. Discounts on these specialty bulbs are available through Energy Trust at participating stores statewide. See a list of retailers at energytrust.org/cfl.
5. Unplug and recycle an older, second refrigerator: Fridges and freezers built in the 1990s or earlier can guzzle up to $200 a year in energy costs. That?s a lot compared to today?s more energy-efficient models that can cost as little $40 a year to run. For homeowners who may have a seldom-used second fridge or freezer in their garage or basement, those extra costs can add up.
To help Portland General Electric and Pacific Power customers unplug and save, Energy Trust offers free refrigerator and freezer recycling along with free pickup and a $40 cash incentive. Call 1-866-444-8907 or visit energytrust.org/fridgerecycling to sign up online.
Finally, homeowners can visit energytrust.org/start or call 1-866-368-7878 to schedule a Home Energy Review. Customers of PGE, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas in Oregon, and NW Natural customers in Washington, are eligible for the free service.
? Thanks to Energy Trusts of Oregon for providing this information
October 10th, 2012?| Category: Uncategorized
Source: http://www.metro-parent.com/2012/10/top-5-fall-energy-savers-from-energy-trust-of-oregon/
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