The next time you look at your heating bill, Christine Ervin from the Department of Energy would like you to consider a couple of facts. The first is that we Americans spend more than $100 billion a year on home energy costs. The second is almost half of the money is spent heating and cooling our homes.
The good news is that we don’t have to spend that much. With only a small amount of effort, we can reduce our energy consumption, lower our utility bills and help protect the environment.
So, in the spirit if Energy Conservation Month, here are some of Ervin’s suggestions:
– Use your kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans sparingly. “In just one hour these fans can blow away a houseful of warm air,” she warns. “Be sure and turn the fans off as soon as they’ve done their job.”
– Keep your fireplace damper tightly closed unless you have a fire going. “An open damper,” she explains, “can let as much as 8 percent of your heat escape out the chimney.”
– When you’re using your fireplace, open the closest window about 1/2 to 1 inch and close any doors leading into the room. “The open window,” she says, “will provide air for the fire while heat loss from the rest of the house will be reduced.”
– Find the energy leaks in your home. “Pick a cold, windy day and test your windows and doors for air tightness,” she suggests. “You’ll be able to feel many leaks simply by feeling around the frames and sashes with your hand.” Or, make a “draft detector” by clipping a piece of tissue paper or plastic film to a coathanger. “Hold the coat hanger in front of a suspected crack,” she says. “Any movement of the paper will indicate an air leak needing caulking or weatherstripping.”
– Seal the energy leaks that you found. “Fortunately,” she points out, “this is a fairly easy job.” The caulking and weatherstripping materials should cost between $40 and $50 for an average house with 12 windows and two doors. The rewards are that you can easily save as much as 10 percent on your energy costs from then on.
– Lower your thermostat to about 65 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night. “For each degree you turn down your thermostat,” she emphasizes, “you’ll save about 3 percent on your heating bill.” She adds a caution, however: “Remember, some older people may require higher indoor temperatures. And individuals with circulatory problems or those taking certain drugs such as phenothiazines used for anxiety and nausea, may also need a warmer house.”