Alternative Energy – Energy Saving Tips

• Turning the thermostat down one degree can save up to 3 percent on your heating bills. Turning it down five degrees for four hours a day can save 10 percent. In the northern part of the country, that could save $250 to $550 this winter. You can install a programmable thermostat to automatically raise and lower the temperature.
• Since water heating can account for about 14 percent of your energy costs, you’ll want to make some improvements in this area:

  Wrapping your hot water heater with insulation can save an additional $75 to $150 a year.

• Lower your water heater temperature, insulating hot water pipes and limiting hot water use can also add to the savings.
• Wash your clothes in cold water and only do full loads. This can reduce your hot water heating costs by $10 to $20 a month.
• Turn your water heater thermostat down when you are away for several days or more; many new models have a thermostat with a “vacation” setting just for this purpose.
• With the price of a chord of firewood over $300 (up over 50 percent from last year) fewer people may be using their fireplaces. Keeping the flue closed when not in use and using kitchen and bath exhaust fans sparingly can also help to reduce heating costs.
• Weatherize and insulate your home by installing insulation in the attic and walls as needed, sealing and insulating heating ducts and sealing cracks in wall and windows.
• Use lower watt or energy-saving fluorescent light bulbs for additional savings.
• Qualifying individuals with low incomes and the elderly are eligible for Weatherization Assistance Program benefits where, through federal and state programs, grants are provided to pay weatherization service providers to install energy efficiency measures in the homes of qualifying homeowners, free of charge.

  Each state sets up its own programs and rules, but you can find out about the programs in your state by logging on to the Department of Energy Web site and search for “Weatherization Assistance Programs” or “Energy Assistance Programs” for a list of states that administer these programs.