![]() You can even add layers to your home! If you have hard-surface flooring, consider purchasing an area rug to block cold air that leaks in through the floor. Add layers of clothing, wear thick socks, and bundle up under blankets. If you’re still feeling chilly at home, think of other ways to warm up––beyond dialing up the thermostat. Every little bit helps, so unplug them to save energy. Look for electronic devices that consume energy even when they’re not in use, like phone chargers or game consoles. For example, if you’re running the dishwasher or clothes washer, only wash full loads. When combined, appliances and electronics account for a significant chunk of our home energy use, so assess how efficiently you’re using them. ![]() Consider your approach to appliance use.If you feel cold air around windows, consider hanging curtains or drapes in a thicker material heavier window coverings can make a significant difference in blocking cold outdoor air. Close them at night to keep the cold, drafty air out. Open blinds, drapes, or other window coverings during the day to allow natural sunlight in to warm your home. If you can feel drafts while standing near a window or door, it likely needs to be sealed. Caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors is another simple, cost-effective way to increase comfort and save energy. The Department of Energy estimates that air leaks account for 24% to 40% of the energy used for heating and cooling a home. When you’re sleeping or away for an extended period, try setting it between 58 and 62 degrees there’s no need to heat your home when you’re away or sleeping and less active. We recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees (or lower) when you’re home. This is one of the easiest ways to manage your home energy use. Here are five tips to help increase your home’s energy efficiency this winter: Sumter EMC is here to help you find ways to manage your home energy use and keep winter bills in check. Some people love crisp, cool weather and bundling up under a favorite blanket, while others prefer the warm temperatures summer brings and all fun outdoor activities that go with it.īut there’s one thing we can all agree on: high winter bills are never fun. If replacement windows are too expensive, consider installing storm windows and doors.We all have our favorite season. Windows with double-pane heat-reflecting or heat-absorbing glass provide additional energy saving, especially in south and west exposures. Use double-pane glass throughout the house.Keep draperies and shades in sunny windows closed in summer to help keep out the heat.Don’t let cold air seep out of your home through the attic access door.The heat pump uses thermal energy from outside air for both heating and cooling. Consider installing an energy-efficient heat pump, if you use an electric furnace for heating.An open damper in a 48-inch square fireplace can let up to 8 percent of your heat out of the chimney. Keep your fireplace damper closed when not in use.Turn them off just as soon as they have done their job. In just 1 hour these fans can blow away a houseful of warmed/cooled air. Use kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans sparingly.Keep outside units free of leaves or debris that may clog vents. The benefits of insulation – lower utility costs – continue for years. No matter how you heat or cool your home, you can reduce the load on your heating and cooling equipment by as much as 20 to 30 percent by investing a few hundred dollars in insulation. If the flame dances around, you need caulking and/or weatherstripping. Move a lighted candle around the frames and sashes of your windows. Test your windows and doors for airtightness.Energy Tips Stay Cool Without Throwing Money Down The Drain
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