| Heating
& Cooling |
| |
 Set
the thermostat back at night as low as is comfortable
in the winter (approximately 68° F), and as high as
is comfortable in the summer (about 72° F).
Clean
or replace filters on furnace or cooling system once
a month, or oftener as needed, during the heating
or cooling months.
Clean
(vacuum) warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and
radiators as needed (make sure they are not blocked
by furniture, carpeting or drapes. |
| Ducts
|
| |
Look
for leaks, any holes in joints where the ducts don't
properly fit together or are not sealed. Check sections
that should be joined but have come apart, look for
obvious holes or seperations.
Seal
Ducts (avoid tape that degrades, cracks, and loses
its bond with age). Use Mastic, Metal Butyl, or Mastic
with Fibrous Backing.
Be
sure a well-sealed vapor barrier exists on the outside
of the insulation on cooling ducts to prevent moisture
buildup.
Insulate
ducts to R-6, and repair all ducts to assure they
are in proper working order.
If
the chimney is not in use plug and seal the chimney
flue by keeping the damper closed. |
| Water
Heating |
| |
Repair
all leaky faucets (replace washers, gaskets, etc.)
Insulate
electric hot-water storage tanks and pipes, (do not
cover water heaters top or bottom thermostat electric
or burner compartment(gas)).
Install
nonaerating, low flow faucets and showerheads in your
bathrooms.
Lower
the thermostat! Most water heaters come with high
settings, but 115° or 120° is sufficient for all needs,
(including dishwasher).
When
shopping for a new water heater make sure it is an
energy-efficient water heater, it will cost more initially
but will save you money in the long run. |
| Windows |
| |
If
possible install interior Storm Windows, the can reduce
heat loss by 25%-50%.
Install
tight-fitting, insulating window shades on windows
that feel drafty after weatherizing. ? Close your
curtains and shades at night, open them during the
day.
Keep
windows on south side of your house clean to maximize
solar gain.
Install
awnings on south and west facing windows.
Apply
sun-control or other reflective films on south-facing
windows to reduce solar gain.
When
purchasing a new window, check for the NFRC label,
it means the windows performance is certified by the
National Fenestration Rating Council. |
| Landscaping |
| |
Trees
that lose their leaves in the fall (deciduous) are
the most effective a reducing heating and cooling
costs. They shade the home from the summer sun, but
lose their leaves in time to let the winter sun in.
Vines
provide shading and cooling.
Deflect
winter winds by planting evergreen trees on the north
and west sides of your home. |
| Lighting |
| |
Turn
off lights when not being used.
Focus
the light where it is needed rather than lighting
the entire room (under cabinet lighting, reading lamps
etc).
Compact
fluorescent bulbs are four times more energy efficient
than incandescent bulbs and provide the same lighting.
|
| Appliances |
| |
Check
the dishwasher manual for temperature recommendations,
many have internal heating sources that will allow
you to turn the water temperature in your home to
a lower setting.
Scrape
food off dishes, don't rinse it. The rinse mode of
the dishwasher is for burned or soiled food, it uses
3-7 gallons of hot water just for a rinse.
Be
sure dishwasher is full, but not overloaded.
Turn
off the automatic air-dry switch and let your dishes
air dry with the door slightly opened.
Look
for refrigerator with automatic moisture control (not
anti-sweat refrigerators), this will help reduce moisture
problems and use of unneeded energy. Make sure fridges
and freezers seal properly.
Don't
keep fridge and freezer too cold! The recommended
temperature is 37° to 40° F for the fresh food, and
5°for the freezer. If you have a separate freezer
for long term storage, it should be kept at 0° F.
Don't let frost exceed ¼ inch.
Vacuum
the condenser coils once a year on your fridge and
freezer.
When
washing clothes use less water and use cooler water,
wash only full loads, don't over dry clothes (use
moisture control machines). |
|
