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Easy steps to greater efficiency D


By Anne Prince, NRECA


o you want to save money and electricity but have limited  me,


money and pa ence? According to the Department of Energy, a “typical American family” spends nearly $2,000 per year on their home energy bills. Much of that money, however, is wasted through leaky windows or ducts, old appliances or ineffi cient hea ng and cooling systems.


Luckily, there are several rela vely easy ways to save energy without a substan al commitment of  me and money. These eff orts will help you save whether you own or rent an older or newly constructed home. And, you won’t have to hire a specialist or call in a favor from someone who is handy with tools to help you.


Where to start According to Money Magazine, “improving the envelope” of your home is a good place to start. Sunlight, seasonal temperature changes and wind vibra ons can loosen up even a  ght home, increasing air leakage. Doors and windows may not close  ghtly, and duct work can spring leaks, was ng cooled and heated air. By placing weather stripping and caulk around windows and doors, you can keep cool air inside during warm months and prevent chilly air from penetra ng the indoors during colder months. Sealing gaps around piping, dryer vents, fans and outlets also helps to seal the envelope and creates greater effi ciency. Apply weather stripping around overlooked spaces like your a c hatch or pull-down stairs.


Replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs can make a big diff erence in home effi ciency and is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bill. Known for their longevity and effi ciency, LED bulbs have an es mated opera onal life span of typically 10,000 to 20,000 hours compared to 1,000 hours of a typical incandescent. According to the Dept. of


12 - NE Connection


Energy, by replacing your home's fi ve most frequently used light fi xtures or bulbs with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR ra ng, you can save $75 each year.


Wrapping up savings Installing a blanket around your water heater could reduce standby heat losses by 25 to 45 percent and save you about 7 to 16 percent in water hea ng costs, according to the Dept. of Energy. For a small investment of about $30, you can purchase pre-cut jackets or blankets and install them in about one hour. Ensure you select the proper jacket for your type of water heater; there are diff erences in electric and gas heater jackets. On a safety note, the Dept. of Energy recommends that you not set the thermostat above 130 degrees Fahrenheit on an electric water heater with an insula ng jacket or blanket; the higher temperature se ng could cause the wiring to overheat.


Given that a large por on of your monthly energy bill goes toward hea ng and cooling your home, it makes sense to ensure your home’s hea ng, ven la on and air condi oning (HVAC) system is performing at an op mal level. Checking, changing or cleaning your fi lter extends the life of your HVAC system and saves you money.


Air fi lters prevent dust and allergens from clogging your HVAC system. Otherwise, dust and dirt trapped in a system’s air fi lter leads to several problems, including: reduced air fl ow in the home and up to 15 percent higher opera ng costs; lowered system effi ciency; and costly duct cleaning or replacement. Many HVAC professionals recommend cleaning the system fi lters monthly. A simple task like changing the fi lters on your HVAC system makes your unit run more effi ciently, keeping your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.


Take control of your energy savings Take a look at your programmable thermostat. When was the last  me you checked to make sure it was programmed for the current season and family schedule? This is one of the best energy-saving tools at your fi nger ps. It enables you to fi ne tune the temperature during par cular hours of the day. Many models allow you to diff eren ate between weekday and weekend schedules, and internet-connected thermostats can learn your schedule and make adjustments automa cally. Most models come with an override op on so you can make manual adjustments without losing overall programing. You can only achieve these effi ciencies and savings if it is programmed properly and adjusted periodically to keep pace with changes in household rou nes.


Remember, there are easy steps you can take now to improve the energy effi ciency of your home. To learn about addi onal ways to save, contact Northeast Oklahoma Electric Coopera ve at 800-256-6405 or visit www.neelectric. com. 


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