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Cornell Cooperative Offers Energy-Saving Tips for Winter
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County would like to share some energy saving steps that will reduce your energy consumption and save you money.
Their first suggestion is to weatherize and insulate you home: Make sure your attic is well insulated; Seal cracks around windows and doors; Insulate outside wall, as well as floors over unheated basements and crawl spaces; Choose energy-efficient windows if you are replacing older windows; Insulate and seal heating and cooling ducts - poorly sealed ducts can waste 10 to 30% of your total energy costs
The Cooperative also suggests that homeowners to have their heating system checked and change the furnace filter. The filters should be changed once a month, or as needed - dirty filters will slow air flow and require your furnace to run longer to heat your home. Another tip for saving energy is to shut off heat to any unused storage area and close vents o any unused bedroom.
Water heating is another area that can result in savings if tended to - water heating accounts for 14% of the average energy bill. Ways to ensure that you are getting all the hot water you are paying to heat include: Wrap your hot water tank with an insulating water heating blanket; Insulate hot water pipes with foil-faced fiberglass insulation or foam insulation sleeves; Lower your water temperature to 120 degrees or 140 degrees if you use a dishwasher.
That thermostat is another spot to increase your home's energy efficiency. Install a programmable thermostat and set it for 65 degrees or lower at night, and 55 degrees when no one is home; Save 20% or more on your heating costs by lowering your thermostat 10 degrees for two 8-hour periods a day. For each degree you lower the setting, you can save approximately 3% on your heating bills.
For more tips and information on programs to help improve the energy efficiency of your home, visit
www.GetEnergySmart.org or dial 1-877-NYSMART.
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