Savings Sense
Warm up to thrifty wintertime tips
As temperatures drop this winter, your electric bill is likely to climb. After all, heating is one of the greatest energy expenses in your home. But, although you can’t control the weather, West Florida Electric Cooperative offers the following tips from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy to help you control your energy use so higher energy bills won’t leave you cold:
Set your thermostat at 68 ° F during the cooler months or install a programmable thermostat to raise or lower the temperature according to household members’ schedules. You’ll save about 2 percent on your heating bill for every degree you lower the temperature.
Keep your central heating system’s registers clean and clear. They shouldn’t be blocked
by furniture, carpets or drapes.
Check your furnace or heat-pump filter once a month. Monthly replacement of filters in forced-air heating systems can save as much as 5 percent on heating costs.
Consider replacing an older furnace with a top-rated newer system. You’ll save 20 to 30 percent on energy if your present unit is more than 20 years old.
Wrap your water heater in an insulating blanket. It will pay for itself in one year or less.
Insulate hot water pipes and any ductwork that runs through unheated areas.
Seal the largest air leaks in your house — the ones that whistle on windy days or feel drafty. The worst culprits usually aren’t windows and doors, but utility cut-throughs for pipes ("plumbing penetrations"), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. Seal doors with weatherstripping and door sweeps.
Replace leaky windows with energy-efficient models or boost their efficiency with weather-stripping and storm windows, or use insulating shades or plastic sheeting. Close blinds or drapes at night to keep cold air out and open them during the day to let warm sunshine in.
If you have a waterbed, make it up each day to save up to 30 percent of the energy it uses. You also might consider installing a timer on the bed’s heater so it doesn’t waste energy throughout the day.
Lower the thermostat on your water heater or install a timer to switch it off during the hours when you’re away. Each 10-degree reduction saves approximately 5 percent on energy costs.
For additional information, log on to http://aceeorg.
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