CONSERVE ENERGY AT HOME TO SAVE MONEY

Audio

Feb2101a

COLLEGE STATION — If you want to save money on home energy heating costs during this winter of rising fuel costs, try changing your behavior.

In fact, behavior changes are the easiest way to lower the energy costs, said Janie Harris, Texas Agricultural Extension Service housing and environment specialist. And best of all, some behavior changes don’t cost a thing.

Harris gave some suggestions:

– “Turn the thermostat down to 66 or 68 degrees during your waking hours; and down to 55 to 60 degrees during sleeping (time),” she said.

– “Dress for the temperature,” she said. Wear layers of clothing, starting with a shirt or T-shirt and adding flannel shirts, sweatshirts or sweaters. Layered clothing helps trap body heat and keeps you more comfortable in cold weather. If you are going to spend some time in some quiet activity – for example, sitting and watching television – have some blankets or comforters to wrap up in.

– “The closer you can keep the internal temperature setting to the outside temperature, the less you will spend on heating,” she said. If the indoor temperature is kept at 75 degrees in winter when the temperature outside is 40 degrees, the homeowner has to pay for warming the inside air 35 degrees; but if the thermostat indoors is set at 68 degrees instead, the homeowner only has to pay for 28 degrees of heating.

– Make sure the thermostat is giving an accurate reading. If it is set at 68 degrees, it should not be letting the house heat up to 75 degrees. Use a desktop thermometer to check.

– Whenever possible, use cold water instead of hot. Try washing clothes in cold water instead of hot or warm because a hot water heater uses an enormous amount of energy, Harris said. Save the hot water for showers, but make them quick, and use less hot water. Turn off the hot water tap when shaving or washing hands.

– Never use the dishwasher, washing machine or clothes dryer for less than a full load. Whenever possible, don’t use the dryer at all; instead, hang clothes in the sun to dry.

– Let the sun in during the day by opening curtains and blinds whenever possible. Upholstered fabrics, such as that used on many couches or chairs, absorbs heat from sunlight much better than plastic or leather or metal, so try to move upholstery-covered furniture into sunny areas of the room to help keep the sun’s warmth in the house.

– Don’t let furniture or carpeting or any other object obstruct the openings of the heater vents.

– Keep the relative humidity inside the house between 40 percent and 50 percent.

– Use lower-wattage light bulbs or even energy-efficient ones.

– And remember what your parents always told you: Turn off lights, television sets, stereos and radios when you leave the room. Also, use only appliances you really need, when you need them.

Harris also suggested several other ways to save energy at a low cost:

– “Install a thermostat that will reduce the temperature at night so you won’t waste excess energy when you don’t need it, and will reset the temperature during the day (when you do need it),” she said. “You can set it (the thermostat) to meet your schedule.”

– Have your heating system cleaned and checked annually by a professional, and change the filters each month.

– Install storm windows and use window coverings that insulate.

– Weatherstrip or caulk to keep the warm air inside the house.

– Install water-saving showerheads to reduce the amount of hot water used per shower.

– If buying new appliances, look for those that are “Energy Star” rated.

– Install extra insulation in the attic or walls.

Harris also said prospective homeowners need to keep energy-efficiency in mind when buying or building a new home.

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