|
Here's
a
Bright Idea!
 Replace
all light fixtures that operate four or more hours a
day with ones that use fluorescent bulbs to save money
and energy. Use lumens- the amount of light produced-
to compare lights. For example, a 23-watt fluorescent
bulb produces about the same number of lumens as a 100-watt
incandescent. Your investment will generally pay for
itself in a couple of years.
|
 |
|
"R" Rated
Advice
Appropriate
insulation for your climate, based on R-Ratings can
increase your comfort and reduce your heating and cooling
cost up to 30%. Start with attic insulation followed
by exterior and basement walls, floors, and
crawl spaces.
|
Do
you need help heating your home this winter?
The Low-Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is available
to those who meet income eligibility requirements.
To assist Pennsylvanians with preparing for winter
weather, Gov. Tom Ridge opened the program a week
early this year, and increased the income eligibility
limits and the cash and crisis benefits.
LIHEAP
can help low income households pay for a variety of
home heating fuel sources and furnace repairs it the
winter. For more information about LIHEAP call the
state Department of Public Welfare at (800) 692-7462.
|
|
 |
Food
For
Thought
Since
the kitchen uses a big chunk of your home energy budget-
the refrigerator alone accounts for about 15% of the
total home electricity bill or about 10% of the average
home energy bill- try these energy efficient techniques:
|
 |
Coming
Clean
In
the market for new appliances? Look for these efficient,
energy saving features:
|
 |
|
It's
a Breeze
|
| The average
home has enough leaks around its windows and doors
to equal one open 3 foot by 3 foot window! Wow
what a draft this would let in! So check out your
roof, walls, floor windows and doors. If you deal
with air leaks first, you'll get the maximum savings
from your heating and cooling systems. |
|
|
|
Pane
Management
|
|
|
If you're
shopping for new windows, glass doors or skylights,
look for the Energy Star label. Today's high-efficiency
windows are three to four times more energy efficient
than windows commonly installed ten years ago. Special
low-e (emissivity) or spectrally-selective (solar
control) coatings greatly reduce the amount of heat
that flows through glass so there isn't as much
heat lost in winter or gained in summer. |
|
|
 |
|
Not
so Crazy
Eights
|
|
Here are
8 energy conscious
improvements you can make at home:
- Insulate attic and exterior walls.
- Caulk between door frames and walls.
- Weatherstrip windows and doors.
- Add storm windows or use plastic
film kits to improve windows.
- Insulate hot water heater.
- Replace dangerous, inefficient halogen
torchiere lamps with Energy Star torchieres.
- Plant trees to shelter your home
from the elements
- Get a home energy rating and an energy-efficient
mortgage to finance upgrades.
And 8 energy
conscious tips you can adopt:
- Clean furnace and air conditioner
filters.
- Turn off lights when you leave a
room.
- Use sunlight for light or heat whenever
practical.
- Match pot size to burner size and
keep the lid on it.
- Set hot water heater no higher than
120° F.
- Do laundry in cold or warm water.
- Use computer Energy Star sleep feature
and turn off office and other equipment when not in
use for some time.
- Keep your car tuned up and its tires
properly inflated.
|
|
Pennsylvania Energy
Website
Now you can find all
the energy help you need in one place by visiting www.PAEnergy.state.pa.us.
State agencies are ready to help individuals and businesses
with your energy questions.
|
|
