Safety & Conservation Tips

Recessed Lighting

Although recessed lighting looks nice, it poses a problem few people think about.

Recessed lighting creates a totally un-insulated area above and around the light, allowing attic air into your home when you're air conditioning unit turns on!

To solve this issue, make sure the lighting is I-C rated, or insulation-contact rated. With this rating, your attic insulation can be put over the light, preventing air leakage. After this is done, you can caulk the ceiling around the fixture. This should help reduce energy waste!

Lighting Your Home

Here are some bright ideas for lighting your home more efficiently.

Number one - open your blinds! It's a free way to lighten up your room!
Number two - When lighting specific areas of your rooms, why not task light - that is, concentrate bright light only where you need it.
Number three - use dimmer switches. Not only do they set the mood but they're al an inexpensive way to save energy.
And finally, keep your light fixtures clean! A cleaner bulb is a brighter bulb!

Washing Clothes

About 80 to 85 percent of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water.

To reduce the amount of energy used when you're doing the laundry, use less water AND use cooler water.

Switching from the hot to warm setting can cut a load's energy use in HALF.
Also, a front loading washing machine can save you 45 percent off your water use and 65 percent off your energy use, which is better for your wallet AND for the environment!

Exhaust Fans

Did you know the exhaust fan over your stove can pull a house full of warm air out in one hour? It's true! Turn the fan off when it’s finished its job!
Choose an Energy Star model and you'll use 65 percent less energy.

Another helpful exhaust hint comes from your dryer. Be sure to clear away lint that sticks to your dryer exhaust cover. This will help it close properly and prevent cold air from entering your home when your dryer is not in use!

Turn Down Your Thermostat

For every degree you lower your heat in the 60 to 70 degree range, you'll save 5 percent in your heating costs.

Wear warm clothing and set the thermostat to the ideal temperature of 68 degrees. During the day and evening, you can also lower your thermostat, health permitting.

If you'll be leaving your home for an extended time, set your thermostat to 55 degrees. You could save up to 20 percent off your heating costs!

Eliminate Wasted Energy

Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms and unplug that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don't REALLY need it. This could save 10 to 25 percent off your electric bill!

If you own a fireplace, keep your fireplace damper closed unles a fire is burning to prevent up to 8 percent of your furnace-heated air from going up the chimney!
Cutting back unnecessary energy use means more hard-earned money in your pocket!

Keeping the Heat In

With the cooler weather approaching, it's time to think about how to keep the warm air in!

The fall is a perfect time to weather strip your windows and doors, add door sweeps beneath for added insulation and repair cracks or broken seams in forced air heating ducts.

It's also a good idea to look for leaks in the walls where your window air conditioner sits.

Finally, keep your heating outlets and return registers clear of objects and furniture so the heat can move freely around your home!

Cut expenses with energy efficient window treatments

Coverings provide thermal insulation, but some have higher efficiency ratings. Natural wood blinds, cellular, solar and roman shades and insulated vertical blinds will lower utility costs.

The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating properties!
Look for treatments with higher R-value ratings so they can conserve energy and prevent heat loss. They'll also look great in any room!

Energy Efficient Lights

Now that you're turning your lights on sooner, make sure all of them are energy efficient!

Compact fluorescent bulbs use up to 75 percent less electricity than the incandescent bulbs they replace.

Another great way to save energy is to caulk around the sill plate where your foundation and house meet. This should be done before the really cold weather sets in, as many caulks will not cure properly if it's too cold outside.

It's Time For a Furnace Check-Up

Autumn means a MUCH deserved break from the humidity and heat – but it’s also a good time to make sure your furnace is in good working order.

Be sure the air-filter is changed and sweep any debris or dust away from the base of your furnace. This will lessen the risk of fire and improve air flow so the furnace works more efficiently.

Also – having a professional tune up and inspect your furnace every 2 years can save you up to 10 percent OFF your yearly heating costs!

Seal Cracks Around Windows/Doors/Pipes/Wires/Attic Doors

The following is a check list – things to look for in your home during the cooler months:

Do your windows or doors give off a draft? Do you notice holes or gaps around pipes, electrical wires, switches or fan vents in outside walls? Are there gaps around the attic door or hatch?

It’s amazing how much energy and money leaks out through cracks and gaps. Sealing cracks and adding extra insulation can save you up to 20 percent OFF your heating bill!

Insulating Gaskets and Foams Keep Heat From Leaking Out

In the winter – be careful of those cracks and gaps in your home! They can cost you!

Low-cost, high-density foam gaskets are available to seal light switches and electrical sockets and expanding foam insulation can be used to fill up large gaps in walls.

For maximum effectiveness, however, insulating foam must be applied before the weather turns cold. Use duct mastic to seal gaps in heating ducts and flues.

Don’t Block Heating Vents – Reflective Tinfoil Behind Registers

When the cold air hits – make sure you heat your home the most efficient way possible!

Don't block your radiators or heating vents with furniture or draperies. Keep your radiators, registers and baseboard heaters dirt and dust free and always make sure you close vents and doors in unused rooms.

Also – the simple act of placing a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room will work wonders on your heating bill!
When the cold air hits – make sure you heat your home the most efficient way possible!

Also – the simple act of placing a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room will work wonders on your heating bill!

Winter Ceiling Fan Use – Reverse Direction – Low Speed

Winter will be here before you know it – so get your ceiling fan ready!

Believe it or not – your ceiling fan can help cut your heating bill down when the cold weather hits. Reverse the spin of the fan and set it on the slowest speed to help circulate the warm air from your furnace and send warm air down to your living area.

And of course - when shopping for a ceiling fan, look for an energy-efficient model, double up on the savings and keep warm!

Use Energy Star Light Bulbs and Save up to $60 a Year

Lighting your home can represent 20 percent of your electricity bills and is one of the easiest places to start saving energy.

If every household changed a light to ENERGY STAR, together everyone would save enough energy to light 7 million homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of 1 million cars.

Simply replace the five most frequently used lights with bulbs that have earned the ENERGY STAR rating, and save more than 60 dollars each year in energy costs.