ATLANTA, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Winter is here and with it frigid cold
temperatures. Now is the best time to start thinking about ways to save on
your energy bill.
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To keep warm and cut down on your energy use, try these helpful
energy-saving tips around your house all winter.
-- Wrap water pipes. This will reduce heat loss from your hot water lines
and help to prevent your pipes from freezing. The best type of wrap to use is
"foam pipe wrap" that you can find at hardware stores for an inexpensive
price.
-- Caulk or re-caulk around windows and doors. This helps keep the cold
out and the heat in. If your caulking is cracked, remove it and reseal with
new caulk.
-- Change your air filters. This should be done every month or so to help
your unit's air exchange and indoor air quality. Dirty filters can increase
your system's operating costs, damage equipment and reduce efficiency.
-- Have your heating or cooling system professionally checked to make sure
it is running properly. This can prolong the life of your system, as well as
reduce operating costs.
-- Insulate your water heater with at least R-6 insulation. Read your
water heater manufacturer's warranty to make sure it's not voided by adding a
water heater jacket. Do not cover the pressure release valve when you wrap
the water heater.
-- Check weather stripping around doors, windows and between heated and
unheated areas of your home - such as garages, basements, attics, etc. A good
check to see if stripping needs changing: close your door; if you see light
coming through, the stripping needs changing.
-- If you have a gas heater or furnace, make sure you get a carbon
monoxide detector before using the unit.
-- Make sure your pilot light (gas furnace) is lighted before the winter
season starts. If you are not sure about lighting it yourself, call a heating
and cooling professional to do it.
-- Keep the thermostat on your heating system at the lowest comfortable
setting. Georgia Power recommends 68 degrees Fahrenheit. On the average, you
consume five percent more energy for every degree it's set above 68 degrees.
Consider using a programmable thermostat that adjusts the temperature
automatically according to your schedule.
-- If you are going away for several days, lower the thermostat to 60
degrees, but not to "off." By setting the thermostat at 60, there will be
less strain on your heating system when you return and it's time to reheat the
house. Also, having some heat in the house will prevent damage, such as
frozen or burst water pipes, from outside freezing temperatures.
-- Keep heating vents and registers clear. Make sure they are not blocked
by draperies or furniture. The vents should also be cleaned regularly with a
vacuum or broom.
-- Let the sun shine in. On sunny days, open drapes or blinds to allow
natural solar heat to warm the house. Keep drapes and blinds closed on cloudy
days and at night. Use insulated or heavy curtains on windows facing the north
side of the house.
-- Make sure fireplace dampers fit tightly, and keep them closed when not
using the fireplace. Add a glass fireplace screen, if possible.
-- Cover bare floors. Carpeting adds to comfort and heat retention,
especially if there is little or no floor insulation.
-- Use a humidifier to keep your home more comfortable. Adding moisture
allows you to reduce the thermostat setting without feeling colder.
-- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans to help maintain a
comfortable temperature in your home. Check the switch located on your
ceiling fan or refer to your owner's manual for the proper direction of
rotation.
-- If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter
months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it can't
be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts.
-- Check the R-value of insulation in your home. For existing homes,
Georgia Power recommends R-30 in the ceiling, R-13 in the walls and R-11 in
the floor for maximum comfort and energy efficiency. R-value is a measure of
resistance to heat flow.
For more information on how to save energy, call Georgia Power at
1-800-524-2421 or visit the website at www.georgiapower.com to download an
energy efficiency guide, schedule a free in-home energy audit or perform your
own on-line energy check-up.
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the
nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned,
tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power
serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.
