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| Keep Your Furnace Efficient |
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Change or clean your furnace filter monthly for cleaner air and energy efficiency. |
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Have a professional clean and tune up your furnace every year. |
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Turn your thermostat down when you are sleeping or when you are not at home. For every certain period you set back your thermostat 1 degree, you'll save 1 percent on energy costs during that time. Use a clock or a programmable thermostat to help you save the most! |
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Vacuum register grills to increase air flow. |
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Don't block registers with furniture or drapes. |
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Adjust the register in each room to control the amount of heat it gets. |
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Consider replacing older furnaces and water heaters with new ones that use fuel more efficiently. High efficiency units cost more to buy, but they save money over the long run. |
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The furnace flame should be an even blue, with only small amounts of orange and yellow. If it is mostly orange or yellow, have the furnace professionally checked. It could mean furnace is not getting enough oxygen, and could be emitting potentially dangerous gases. |
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| Seal Air Leaks |
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Caulking and weather stripping are the most cost effective measures for winterizing your home and they usually pay for themselves within one year. The materials are inexpensive and easy to use, so you can tackle these projects yourself. |
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Always seal air leaks before adding insulation. |
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| Caulking |
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Caulk where different building material meet on the interior or exterior of your home. |
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Caulk the interior of your home to prevent drafts and to prevent moist air from entering the walls. |
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Caulk the exterior to prevent rain, moisture, bugs and rodents from entering and damaging your home. |
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| Weather Stripping |
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Use weather stripping on parts that move, like doors or windows, to reduce drafts. |
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Weather stripping provides an air tight seal without binding. |
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Install a door sweep or a door bottom if you feel drafts in entry ways. |
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| Fireplaces |
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When the fireplace is not in use, keep the flue damper tightly closed. It is designed specifically for smoke to escape, so until you close it warm air escapes 24 hours a day! |
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| 5 Minute Tasks... |
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Installing rubber gaskets behind outlets and switch plates on exterior walls can help reduce drafts and keep warm air inside. |
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| Other Tips to Save |
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Warm air rises, so use registers to direct warm air flow across floors. |
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Close vents and doors in unused rooms and close dampers on unused fireplaces. |
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Set the water heater temperature at 120 degrees. This will reduce water heating bills without sacrificing comfort. |
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Install water-flow restrictors in showerheads and faucets to save on hot water. Take showers instead of baths. Showers use less water. |
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Run washing machines and clothes dryers with a full load. Wash clothes in cold or warm water instead of hot. |
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Use passive solar energy by opening drapes and blinds during the day and close them at night to retain heat. |
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Insulate pipes so they won't freeze. |
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Add weather-stripping tapes that adhere directly to door and window frames for a tight seal. Add a door sweep for more insulation. |
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Wear layers of clothing or insulated clothing indoors. |
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Put extra blankets or down comforters on beds. |
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| Doing these simple things can and does save money, but more importantly… it helps save energy. It is our small way of making a difference in our world. |
