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Saving Energy, Saving Money: Energy Tips for Residents in the 60th Senate District
Mark Grisanti
December 28, 2010
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Don’t be left out in the old with high heating bills:
Lower the thermostat
-- For every one degree you set back your thermostat, you can save 1 to 3 percent on your annual heating bill.
-- Turn down your thermostat when you leave your house for two or more hours. It takes less energy to warm a cool house than to maintain a higher temperature all day and night.
-- An automatic setback thermostat can cut heating costs by raising and lowering the temperature at preset times.
Keep out the cold
-- Check for insulation in your attic, walls, ceiling and floors, and install more if possible.
-- Inexpensive weather-stripping around doors and windows can stop cold drafts.
-- Replace cracked windows and use easy-to-install storm window kits to keep out breezes.
-- Close your curtains at night to keep warm air inside.
Conserve energy
-- Turn off lights in empty rooms.
-- Shut off heat to unused rooms.
-- Run major appliances (washers, dryers, dishwashers, pool motors) before 10 a.m. and after 9 p.m.
-- Look for the ENERGY STAR label when shopping for appliances to assure the most energy efficient products.
-- If your furnace is over 10 years old, replace it with an ENERGY STAR approved unit to save up to 30% in energy costs.