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    Energy Tips of the Week from Kenney Middle School   

·        Check the furnace or air conditioner filter each month, and clean and replace if needed.  Dirty filters block airflow through your heating and cooling system, increasing your energy bill and shortening the equipment’s life.

·        During hot months, keep window coverings closed on the south, east, and west windows.  In the winter, let the sunshine in.

·        A water tank insulation wrap cost about $20 dollars and helps keep the heat inside.  Add pre-cut insulation to exposed pipes going into your hot water heater; it is cheap and easy to install. This suggestion will save money in just a few months.

·        Up to half of your energy bill goes for heating and cooling.  Turn your heating or cooling down every night and whenever you leave home.  Better yet, install an Energy Star programmable thermostat, it adjusts the temperature automatically.  This suggestion should save you about 100 dollars each year

·        Trees that lose their leaves in the fall give protection from summer sun and permit winter sunlight to reach and warm your home.  Plant trees on the south, east, and west sides of your home.  A final step is to create a windbreak with evergreen trees and shrubs to stop chilling winds.

·        A handy homeowner can seal up holes to the outside by weather stripping doors and sealing windows and other gaps along the homes foundation to keep in heat.

·        Energy star items will save you money.

·        An energy star furnace can save you up to 20 percent on your heating bills

·        Adding area heaters to warm just the occupied rooms will enable you to keep your house at reasonable heat for a cheaper price then one in ever room.

 

 

 

  • Glass fireplace doors help stop heat from being lost up the chimney. Also, close the fireplace damper when not in use.
  • Activate “ sleep” features on computers and office equipment that power down when not in use for a while. Turn off equipment during longer periods of non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity.
  • Only heat or cool the rooms you need- close vents and doors of unused rooms.
  • Storm windows can reduce heat lost by single-paned windows by 25-50 percent during the winter. As an alternative, you can improve your windows temporarily with plastic sheeting installed on the inside.
  • Incandescent light bulbs are outdated with 95 percent of the energy used going to heating the bulb, adding unwanted heat to your home in the summer. Replace your five most used light bulbs with ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent bulbs to save $60 each year in energy costs. These light bulbs use two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer. Use dimmers, timers, and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.

 

 

Sept 19- 22

Take advantage of natural light as much as possible … it’s free!

Turn off TV when it’s not being watched.  Use radio for company instead.

Vacuum refrigerator and freezer condenser coils once a year, the appliances will run for shorter periods with clean coils.

Use a fan instead of the air conditioner, when possible.

When shopping for a new appliance, look for Energy Star label.  Energy Star appliances offer top performance, premium features, and significant savings. 

 

Sept 11 - 15

Lower the temperature on your water heater.  It should be set at “warm,” so that a thermometer held under the running water reads no more than 120 F.

When you leave a room turn off the lights.

Maintain your refrigerator at 37 to 40 F and the freezer at 5 F.

Wash clothes in cold water, using cold water detergents, whenever possible

Hang clothes outside to dry when possible

When cooking use the smallest appliance possible to do the job

When using the dishwasher operate it only when full

Take shorter showers and install high-energy efficiency showerheads