WARM HOMES MONTANA QUICK TIPS
Home energy costs for heating and electricity supplies are rising to record levels due to higher demands and reduced supplies this winter. It is important for Montana families to maintain a warm and comfortable home without excessive utility bills.
The best way to save energy and money on your utility bills is by using energy wisely. WARM HOMES MONTANA has developed some quick tips to make your home more efficient and lower your heating and electricity costs this winter. By adopting these no-cost and low-cost measures you can reduce your energy bills up to 10 percent without sacrificing comfort.
ENERGY SAVING TIPS
Maintain your heating system. Your heating system, like your car, needs regular maintenance to run at peak efficiency. That means scheduling a yearly maintenance visit with a heating contractor to tune-up the system. A licensed contractor will make sure your heating system is operating efficiently and safely. A regular maintenance schedule can also help in identifying problems early. Save even more on your heating costs by sealing and insulating ducts located in unconditioned areas, such as a garage, attic or crawlspace.
Change the filter. It is important to change the furnace air filter on a regular basis according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If you have pets you are more likely to develop dirty filters. Filters that are dirty or clogged will increase your heating costs. At the same time, make sure that heat is circulating properly. Keep furniture placement, draperies and rugs from obstructing heating registers and vents.
Turning down the heat. Yes, it is rather obvious, but turning down the thermostat can reduce your heating costs. Turning the thermostat down just five degrees at night and while the house is empty during the workday can reduce your heating bills by as much as five percent. If you plan to be gone for the weekend or on a vacation, turn down the thermostat by as much as 10 degrees to save even more money.
Install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat. Inexpensive and easy to install, programmable thermostats automatically turn down the heat during the weekdays and at night so you are not paying to heat your home when no one is around to appreciate the comfort. Programmable thermostats today are easy to operate and allow you to have different workday and weekend schedules that fit your lifestyle. These thermostats also qualify for the 25 percent Montana energy conservation tax credit. Northwestern Energy natural gas heating customers are also eligible for a $40 rebate if they install an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat in a home this winter.
Check your storm windows. Make sure your storm windows fit tightly and don’t allow cold air to leak into or out of the home. Properly installed and maintained storm windows can reduce window energy loss by up to 25 percent. Purchasing new storm or replacement windows save even more energy when they are ENERGY STAR qualified. These windows also qualify for the 25 percent Montana energy conservation tax credit.
Close the damper. It is important to close the fireplace damper when not in use. This measure prevents large amounts of heated air from escaping and increasing your heating costs.
Use the dishwasher when fully loaded. To reduce the amount of hot water used for dishwashing, families should use the dishwasher only when it is fully loaded. Most newer dishwashers today can also be set to use energy saving features such as partial load settings and no heat drying cycles.
Change those lights. Consider replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy saving compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. These bulbs save at least two-thirds of the energy of incandescent light bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Replace incandescent bulbs that are in the 60 - 100 watt range and used for at least four hours per day. Homeowners who purchase ENERGY STAR qualified light fixtures can also take advantage of the 25 percent Montana energy conservation tax credit.
Visit your crawlspace. Check to make sure that your home has adequate levels of insulation in the crawlspace. If your home’s crawlspace has no floor or wall insulation, consider adding at least R-19 insulation to improve the comfort of your home and reduce your heating bills.
Turn down the water heater and save. Water heating is often the second largest energy-consuming appliance in your home. Turn down the temperature setting on your water heater to 120 degrees (about midway between the low and medium setting). You can save even more energy by installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators throughout your home. Install an insulating blanket on your water heater if it is more than 10 years old and you can save between 5 and 10 percent on water heating costs.
Seal up those leaks. Caulk and weather-strip all leaky windows and doors. Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, furnace ducts, or electrical wires penetrate through exterior walls, floors and ceilings. You can also install gaskets behind all the electrical outlets and switch plates on exterior walls.
Shop for the STAR When purchasing major new appliances this year shop for products that are ENERGY STAR qualified. These products will cost more upfront but provide substantial lifetime energy and dollar savings over standard models. As an example, ENERGY STAR clothes washers use 37 percent less energy than standard models.
