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Energy Saving Ideas

More information available at:
Alliance to Save Energy http://www.ase.org
U.S. Dept. of Energy http://www.energy.gov

Don't forget to check out our free Home Series Collection for more tips and information on residential energy efficiency.

Home Tightening

Caulking and weather-stripping your home saves money, energy and resources. Start from the top of your home and work down.

Attic: holes in the attic floor and walls; doors and hatches to the attic; plumbing stacks; and attic knee walls/storage drawers.

Main level: around the chimney and fireplace dampers; around the windows, doors, trim and baseboards; electrical outlets and other exterior wall holes.

Basement: around the sill plate and band joists; basement windows; ducts/furnace ducts; openings in the basement ceiling and other holes.

Outside: cracks in siding and exterior; windows and doors.

Drafty Doors and Leaky Windows

Install weather-stripping and door sweeps to stop air from escaping and to reduce drafts.

Replace old windows with high efficiency ones. Use window  kits for weatherization.

Find the right windows for your needs at http://www.efficientwindows.org

Insulation

Tighten before you insulate-if you don’t tighten your home first, much of the money spent on insulation will be wasted. Insulation should be installed on any surface separating a heated space from an unheated space.

Choose the right type of insulation for the application and know the R-value (or thermal resistance) that’s best for Iowa’s climate.

Furnace

Check the air filter and change or clean it monthly. Have a check-up performed by a qualified service technician before winter.

Be sure to inspect and seal air ducts. Use good quality metal tape, not cloth backed duct tape that will crack and leak.

Thermostat

Programmable thermostats can increase the comfort of your home and improve its energy efficiency. Be sure that thermostat is not obstructed or placed in an area susceptible to drafts. Set the thermostat to 65–70 degrees F in the winter and slightly lower at night. Each degree the thermostat is lowered can save 3% on your heating bill.

Hot Water

Reduce hot water use and increase efficiency:

• Install water-saving showerheads and faucet aerators.
• Fix leaks in the water heater and faucets.
• Use the energy efficiency cycle on your dishwater and washing machine.
• Set thermostat at 120 degrees F or lowest temperature required to meet your needs.
• Invest in an energy efficient hot water heater.
• If your hot water was installed before 1990, consider wrapping it in an insulation blanket (be sure not to construct the vent pipe).
• Insulate the water heater outlet pipe.

*Before making changes, refer to your water heater warranty or consult a plumber.

Major Home Appliances

Keep appliances clean and free from ventilation obstructions.

Use energy saver settings.

Invest in energy efficient models.

Consult owner’s manuals for directions on efficient use.

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