This Month...

Cut Your Energy Use Today!

• Start at the top:  Adequate attic insulation is the mainstay of a cheap-to-heat house, but many homeowners think they’re covered when they’re not.  To tell if your attic is a money-sucking monster, head up there with a ruler—if the insulation under the rafters is 6 inches thick or less, your R-value needs attention.  R-value is a rating of resistance to heat flow; higher numbers signal a better ability to protect against heat transfer.  Installing new insulation isn’t cheap, but it can lower heating and cooling costs by 25% in a single year.  And now it’s a better investment than ever—you can get federal tax credits for insulating your home.
• Dodge the draft:  Replacing old windows with airtight ones may also qualify you for that tax break and can cut heat loss from your home in half.  To find leaks, hold a lit candle in front of your window; if the flam flickers, you’ve got some sealing to do.
• Mind the gap:  Getting rid of leaks can save you 80% or more on your annual heating bill.  But you’ve got to check more than just windows.  Walk around the perimeter of your dwelling, filling in any cracks with caulk.  For sizable spaces use a spray type sealant.
• Know what’s watt:  Replace your light bulbs with new compact fluorescents (CFLs).  They use 75% less energy.  Replacing just 5 of your most frequently used bulbs can lower your electric bill by more than $60/year.
• Scrap that old toaster:  New model appliances are major energy savers.  The average Energy Star appliance uses up to 50% less energy than one made a decade ago.
• Snuggle up:  Lowering your thermostat by 10% for 8 hours a day can shave 10% off your heating bill.
• Roll out the duct tape:  The Department of Energy estimates that leaky ducts can increase heating and cooling costs by hundreds of dollars each year.
• Earn your degrees:  Dropping your water heater’s setting can save you nearly $50/year.  To save another 10%, wrap your tank in a $20 insulating blanket.
• Plug the plugs:  Rooms can lose heat through electrical outlets and light switches because the spaces behind them are uninsulated.  Screw off the plates, fit insulating foam gaskets on the backs and replace.
• Flip the fan:  Turning your ceiling fan on low in the opposite direction can actually keep you warm for less.  The strategy costs pennies a day to operate.