Conservation Tips to Stay Warm & Save Money This Winter.SEATTLE -- Washington State officials estimate that energy costs per capita [Latin, By the heads or polls.] A term used in the Descent and Distribution of the estate of one who dies without a will. It means to share and share alike according to the number of individuals. will average $3,950 in 2008. This represents a nearly 25% increase in just three years, with a significant portion coming from home heating expenses. "Whether you heat your home with natural gas, heating oil or electricity, it's going to be a tough winter," acknowledged Lea Wilson, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Oil Heat Council which promotes the benefits of oil heat in Washington State. "But when it comes to energy savings, there are many ways to conserve heat that are fast and easy to implement." Tips to stay warm and save money this winter: * Have your heating system inspected annually to ensure that is safe and operating at maximum efficiency. * Check your air filter every month and replace it if it shows any buildup of dust and dirt. Dirty filters are the biggest causes of inefficient heating systems since they reduce airflow through your furnace. * Seal your ductwork duct·work n. A group or system of ducts: installed new ductwork in the building. . Leaky ductwork can result in heat loss of up to 40% into your attic and/or crawl space crawl·space or crawl space n. A low or narrow space, such as one beneath the upper or lower story of a building, that gives workers access to plumbing or wiring equipment. Noun 1. . * Install a programmable thermostat A programmable thermostat is a thermostat which is designed to adjust the temperature according to a series of programmed settings that take effect at different times of the day. Programmable thermostats may also be called setback thermostats or clock thermostats. . When properly used, it could save as much as $100 off your annual heating bills. * Add insulation to keep heat from leaking out through exterior walls, ceilings with cold spaces above, and floors with cold spaces below. * Open shades and drapes drape v. draped, drap·ing, drapes v.tr. 1. To cover, dress, or hang with or as if with cloth in loose folds: draped the coffin with a flag; a robe that draped her figure. during the daytime to let in the sun's warmth. Close when the sun goes down. * Install storm windows Storm windows are windows which are mounted outside of the main glass windows of a house. Most commonly, they are found in cold climates to serve as a retrofit on existing windows in order to improve their thermal efficiencies. , drapes and weather-stripping to seal out drafts and block heat loss. * Close kitchen vents, fireplace dampers and closet doors when not in use. * Remove air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. window units, or cover them well. * Keep radiators free of dust for maximum efficiency. * Wrap your pipes to guard against heat loss and prevent them from freezing. * Avoid using space heaters. Unless you are willing to keep the rest of the house chilly, they are expensive to operate and can be dangerous. "Energy prices will continue to fluctuate for months," warned Wilson. "Homeowners should take time now to prepare their homes for the upcoming winter, to stay warm without getting fleeced." For more tips on home heating conservation, visit www.pnwoilheat.com and click on "Energy Tips." |
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