Energy SavingTips:
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Ceiling Fans - Ceiling fans help to de-stratify the air and the air motion, especially in the summer, makes you feel cooler. By using fans you may be able to raise your thermostat setting several degrees and save on your cooling costs.
Hot Water Circulation Pumps - Circulation pumps for providing instant hot water can add significantly to your utility bill--not so much because the pump uses the energy, but because of piping losses, especially if the pipes are not insulated. Consider: 1) Using as low a hot water temperature as possible, 2) Insulating the tank and all accessible hot water pipes, 3) Installing a timer to shut off the pump at night or when no one is home, 4) Turning it off during extended absences. Manually set back the water heater thermostat to a range of 125 degrees to 130 degrees depending on the number of people living there and a size of Hot Water Heater. Be sure and adjust both elements if the unit is a dual unit.
Caulking and Sealing your Home - In many homes, air leakage is the single largest cause of high utility bills. Tightening up your home involves the following tasks, most of which you can do yourself. (see below)
Installing Gaskets - Behind interior and exterior electric outlets and switchplates; caulking, especially around the non-moving parts of window and door casements, the top plate and sole plate, and replacing old cracked caulk.
Water Heater Jacket - A water heater's efficiency may be improved by adding an insulation jacket. Be sure to check manufacturer's recommendations before adding additional insulation. Some newer models should not be insulated.
Window Shading and/or Tinting - A major source of heat gain in the summer is from the sun's rays entering your home through the windows. This is especially a problem on east and west windows and glass doors, where roof overhangs are less effective in shading the glass. Installing reflective film or solar screens can reduce glare and lower your cooling bill. Other outside shading, like awnings and greenery, produce the same benefit. Interior shades and drapes also help, to a lesser extent. Solar film can be applied yourself, usually directly to the interior surface of the glass. Solar screens, which can also be self-installed, have the advantage that they can be taken down in the winter and thus allow solar heating to lower your heating costs.
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