If energy costs are a concern, taking steps to upgrade your home’s structure and equipment could save you a considerable amount of money each year. Use the guideline below to help you figure out ways to cut heating costs. As always, a dual fuel system by Meeker Cooperative Light and Power Assn. is your best way to save money year after year.

Your home’s “envelope”

• Add or upgrade your home’s insulation, particularly in the attic.
• Check weather-stripping and caulking around doors and windows and replace if damaged or missing.
• Replace cracked or broken windows. When replacing windows, opt for a high R-value for added protection against heat loss.

Your heating system

• Clean or replace furnace filters every month or two. A dirty filter can restrict air flow and force your furnace to work harder than it needs to.
• Clean your furnace’s burner compartment once a year.
• Hire a chimney sweep to keep chimneys clear of debris.
• Make sure your ductwork is air-tight and repair leaks with duct tape. If your ductwork travels through an unheated basement or crawl space, make sure you wrap the ducts with insulation.
• Turn your thermostat down during the night or when you’re away from home. Using a programmable thermostat makes it easier and can save substantial energy.
• If you don’t have a heat pump, consider getting one. It’s up to 300 percent efficient and can both heat and cool your home with one unit.
• If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper is closed when not in use, to prevent your home’s heat from escaping right out the chimney.

Your cooling system

• Set the thermostat at the highest comfortable setting, then increase it several degrees when you’re going to be gone. This simple step can cut cooling costs as much as 5 percent!
• Regularly cleaning and maintaining your air conditioning system is important for efficient operation. Replace or wash filters often.
• Keep AC units free from obstructions inside and out — cut grass and weeds around outside units; move furniture and drapes out of the way of inside units.
• Window units should be placed on the shady side of the house, out of direct sunlight, which can cause them to work much harder than necessary.
• If you have central air, keep your room doors and vents open to allow air movement.
• Use fans to circulate air and make it feel cooler.
• If you don’t have a heat pump, consider getting one. It’s up to 300 percent efficient and can both heat and cool your home with one unit.
• Use awnings and drapes to keep the hot sun out of your home.
  Water heater system
• Turn the thermostat down on your water heater. Often, a water heater thermostat is set too high to overcome the heat loss that occurs as the water flows from the heater to the faucet. Consider setting the thermostat at 120 degrees or lower, and add insulation to your water heater and piping. Better yet, consider purchasing a super-insulated Marathon water heater. It’s the most efficient water heater on the market and can be used with Meeker Cooperative Light and Power Assn.’s storage water program.
• Drain one gallon of water from the bottom of the water tank every few months or so to remove sediment that can impede efficiency. Simply open the drain valve near the bottom of the tank and drain water until it runs clear.
• Install water-saving showerheads and flow restrictors throughout your home.

Other ways to save

• Wash clothes in cold water, rather than hot.
• Purchase the right size appliance for your needs, rather than one that is too large and costly to operate. Refrigerators and air conditioners are two appliances where size is closely related to energy cost and economy. Check the labels for the energy cost.
• Use the automatic dry  or “sensor” dry setting on your clothes dryer to avoid overdrying clothes, which just wastes energy.

Make the switch from regular incandescent lighting to compact fluorescent lighting. Since lighting accounts for up to 20% of a home’s energy bill, a small change in this area can add up to huge savings! One CFL bulb lasts up to 10 times longer than a regular bulb, saving you money just on the bulbs themselves. Not to mention the savings you’ll enjoy every month by using less energy per bulb.

(Resources: Dept. of Energy) Save even more!

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