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 ENERGY SAVING TIPS CUTTING FUEL COSTS THROUGH HOME WEATHERIZATION!
This list was compiled from lists and materials created by the Sustainable Energy Resource Group in VT and the "Button Up NH" program from the Univeristy of NH in conjunction with the New England Carbon Challenge. It is important to also stress the need for adequate ventilation when tightening up homes in order to maintain healthy air quality. Do-it-yourself energy saving measures and tips - Most cold air infiltration takes place as warm air rises and flows out openings high in the house, pulling cold air in through leaks low in the house. These leaks are easiest to find on cold days and are usually very cost effective to repair. Feel for cool drafts coming in low areas - where the sill meets the foundation, around low doors, windows and protrusions for pipes and wires. Hold something that smokes, like incense, and look for smoke being sucked out along potential openings - attic hatches, upper floor windows and electric outlets, etc. Seal all high and low openings with weather stripping, spray foam or caulk.
- Close storm windows and latch storm doors tightly during heating season.
- Close interior doors and turn off the heat to any rooms that are unused during the winter.
- Close the damper on your fireplace when not in use.
- Turn down thermostat at night and while gone during the day. Every degree lowered between 60-70 degrees saves 2% on heating costs.
- Weather-strip all exterior doors, including attic hatch, bulkhead doors and crawl spaces. Change weatherstripping when worn.
- If your exterior doors jiggle when closed, move the striker/latch plate closer to the door-stop so the door closes snuggly against the stop or add new weather stripping that “snugs up” against the door.
- Caulk closed all leaky windows and exterior doors that you never open.
- Cover leaky windows or windows that have no storm windows with an interior plastic "storm" product that can be removed in the spring.
- Insulate cellar and attic heating ducts
- Seal the foundation and plug cracks in walls to reduce cold air infiltration and heat loss.
- Make sure all fan-driven exterior vents (dryer, stove, bathroom, etc.) have an exterior flap that closes tightly when the fan is off. Clear vent flaps of lint and other debris so they close tightly.
- Install outlet “blankets” inside all electric outlets on exterior walls.
- If you can feel heat coming off your hot water tank or hot water pipes, cover them with an insulated tank wrap jacket or foam pipe insulation.
- Check adequacy of ventilation system to assure healthy air quality.
- Take shorter showers. They account for 2/3 of water heating costs. And use ceiling ventilation to reduce household moisture.
- Wash clothes in cold water with “cold water” detergents unless clothes are extremely dirty.
- Wash full loads in washing machine.
- Wash full loads in dishwasher and air dry dishes.
- Hang clothes on clothesline, or dry briefly to remove wrinkles before hanging on clothesline or drying rack. Empty dryer lint before each use.
- Set water heater down to 120 degrees.
- Have furnace “turned up” every year and make sure ducts are not leaking.
- Keep blinds and curtains open on south side of home during the day to allow sun to heat rooms in winter. At night close them or cover with window blankets.
- Turn off lights when leaving a room for more than a several minutes.
- Turn off computers when not in use for more than an hour and set hard drive and monitor to “sleep” after 10 minutes of inactivity rather than using a screensaver.
- Put cell phone charger, computer, and TV on a power strip and turn off when they are not in use.
- Clean refrigerator coils every six months for greater efficiency.
- Use ceiling fans and open windows whenever possible rather than AC in summer.
- Install low-flow showerhead to reduce water flow while maintaining pressure of spray.
- Install aerators on kitchen and bathroom faucets to lower hot water usage.
- Replace light bulbs with compact flourescent bulbs, lasting seven times longer and using ¼ the energy.
- Consider using energy-efficient bulbs with motion sensors for security in outdoor lighting.
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