| Give your home an energy audit: A good energy audit will provide you with a comprehensive resource and identify your home’s greatest energy culprits. W-H offers members a detailed and easy to use online energy audit they can complete themselves under the “What’s New” section. Members can also borrow an energy use monitor from WH free of charge. |
| Enroll in one of Wright-Hennepin’s Off-Peak programs: Electric heating, water heating and cooling is highly efficient and you will receive reduced rates on your energy bill when you join an Off-Peak program. You can also send an e-mail to info@whe.org. |
Change your light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)* : Changing light bulbs from standards to compact fluorescents may seem trivial, but savings can add up in a hurry. While CFL bulbs are slightly more expensive up front than conventional ones, the long-term payoff is considerably greater. CFLs last up to 10 times longer and use two-thirds less energy than incandescent bulbs, saving you money.
* Fluorescent lights contain mercury that is harmful to the environment. It is illegal to place the lamps in the garbage. To learn how to lawfully dispose of the lamps, visit www.earth911.org or call the MN Pollution Control Agency at 1-800-657-3864. Members can also bring their fluorescent bulbs to W-H for a nominal fee. Sources used to compile the list include: Minnesota Dept. of Commerce, Tennessee Valley Authority and the U.S. Dept. of Energy. |
| Give your furnace a tune-up and change air filters regularly: Furnaces in top shape heat more efficiently, providing you with savings and a more comfortable home. Call a trusted professional to inspect the furnace and remember that changing air filters every month will also help keep the furnace running like it should. |
| Properly insulate the attic - Most experts agree that insulating the attic to recommended levels can lower heating and cooling bills by up 30 percent. Be sure to seal air leaks (also called attic bypasses) in the attic before applying insulation for best results. The recommended R-value for attics in Minnesota is R-38 to R-49 depending on the heat source, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. |
| Caulk, seal and weatherstrip: The U.S. Dept. of Energy reports about one-third of warm air escapes through doors, windows and plumbing in the home. Therefore it’s recommended you caulk around outside air intakes and outtakes, doors, windows and around seals where necessary. Also, seal any leaks in ductwork with metallic duct tape. Replace worn window weatherstripping because loose fitting windows are a major source of air leaks. Remember to ensure that there is always an adequate supply of fresh air in the home to ensure healthy indoor air quality in a tightly-sealed home. Newer fossil fuel furnaces often have sealed intakes to bring in fresh air from the outside, but older ones may not. Check with the furnace manufacturer or instructions for air ventilation questions. As a precaution, place carbon monoxide detectors in working order within 10 feet of every bedroom and on every level of the home. |
| Install a programmable thermostat: This will let you better regulate house temperatures, increasing efficiency. |
| Check to make sure ductwork is sealed and properly insulated: If it isn’t, use fiberglass batts (rolls of insulation) on ducts. |
| Consider an air source heat pump: Heat pumps work just like an air conditioner in the summer, while also providing supplemental heat down to about 25 degrees during cold weather. |
| Open drapes on sunny days to let the heat in: This means your heating system won’t have to work as hard and you will feel more comfortable. |
| Shut doors and close vents in unused rooms: This works if you have zoned heat or a heating system other than a heat pump. |
| Think about your water use: Invest in a low-flow shower head. Despite what the name says, they work just as well as normal shower heads but lower water use significantly. Don’t tolerate leaky faucets. The U.S. government calculates that one drip per second equals 200 gallons a month. Consider air drying dishes and wash only full loads. |
| Look for the Energy Star Label and do the math: Refrigerators, clothes dryers, heat pumps, light bulbs - it doesn’t matter. Ask a sales representative or qualified individual to calculate the expected savings over its lifetime. Just because an appliance costs less initially doesn’t mean you won’t save more in the long run by choosing an energy-efficient appliance. |
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