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The Winter Blues
Winter has arrived and as temperatures continue to drop, heating costs have begun to soar. As in recent years, energy prices will likely reach record highs this winter but, by making a few small changes, homeowners can save on their monthly energy bills.
Here are some tips to protect your home against the elements this winter and save on energy costs:
- Insulation – Insulation is essential to an energy efficient home. Insulating a home’s attic, basement, ducts, water heater, and pipes are vital measures to save energy and improve total home comfort. Learn more at www.simplyinsulate.com.
- Windows – Windows are often the main energy leak in a home’s building envelope. To make an informed choice, look for the NFRC label, which shows you the window’s U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). A lower U-factor means less heat loss in winter. Learn more at www.efficientwindows.org.
- Lighting – Purchasing efficient, compact fluorescent light bulbs can provide the same quality and brightness of light while consuming only a fraction of the energy. Although they initially cost more, compact fluorescents last up to 10 times longer and save enough energy in about two years to recoup the extra cost.
- Electronics – Most home electronics use more energy when they are switched off than when they are actually in use. Energy is wasted keeping on lights or displays. Use a power strip to easily turn electronics completely off.
- ENERGY STAR® – Look for the ENERGY STAR label on all new purchases for a quick and guaranteed guide to improved efficiency. You can find the label on appliances, windows, heating and cooling equipment, electronics, and other items for your home. Learn more at www.energystar.com.
- ENERGY STAR® Home Advisor – Homeowners can go to http://www.energystar.gov/homeadvisor, enter their zip code and some basic information about the type of fuels used to heat their home, and get recommendations on home improvement projects to increase energy efficiency. Homeowners can also see the average energy savings and green house gas emissions reductions from these home improvements.
“These tips will help consumers to keep their homes comfortable all year round in an efficient and cost-effective way,” said Jim Benney, NFRC’s executive director.
For more information on saving energy, visit the NFRC Web site at www.nfrc.org.
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