INC NEWS - Saving energy & money

[Laura Drey]

Conservation and weatherization suggestions
 
Conservation and weatherization suggestions are mostly easy and inexpensive
or free.  All are practical for all types of homes.
 
The Attic

Check the fit of your attic access door or pull-down stairs. Weather-strip
and insulate the door where you can.

Ventilate the attic space. Homes built long ago may have little ventilation
or original vents may have been blocked by later construction. Vents are
needed both high and low in the attic space to promote good circulation for
proper ventilation.

If you're having a new roof installed, consider adding a ridge vent in the
process. 

The Bathroom

Turn off faucets tightly and fix leaky faucets promptly. A leak of one drop
per second wastes more than 250 gallons of water a month, and the energy
used to heat it. 

Take shorter showers and install water-saving shower heads.

Turn off the water faucet while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Clean particles from aerator screens and showerhead jets annually. Unscrew
from faucet or shower arm, and remove particles from screen or nozzles. If
possible, disassemble to clean. Soak in bleach solution if needed.

Set your water heater thermostat at or below 120° F to avoid risk of
scalding. You can purchase dishwashers with pre-heaters that work well with
lower water temperatures.

The Bedroom

Be comfortable all night and save energy.

Use draft guards at the bottom of any doors that open into unconditioned
areas. 

Close heating vents or radiators in rooms you don't use. However, if you
have a heat pump system, leave all doors and vents open to ensure proper
airflow. 

Lower your thermostat at night and use more blankets during the winter.

The Kitchen

Grime from cooking, smoking and dust can make a light bulb dirty, reducing
the light it gives off. Inspect and clean bulbs regularly.

Use stove exhaust fans that vent to the outdoors as little as possible
during the winter to limit sending heated air outdoors.

Run your garbage disposal with cold water.

Studies show electric dishwashers use less hot water than washing and
rinsing dishes by hand. When you purchase a dishwasher, look for one with a
short or light cycle. They require fewer fills and less hot water. Some
dishwashers use up to 40 percent less hot water per load, and others allow
you to reduce the temperature settings on your water heater. Both can save
you money. 

Check the condition of your dishwasher filter screen and clean or replace it
when necessary. 

Save more energy by air drying your dishes and only running full loads.

Don't open the oven door to check on food any more than necessary.
Twenty-five percent of the heat escapes each time you do. Turn off the oven
about 15 to 20 minutes before the end of the cooking time. The left-over
heat will finish the job.

Avoid cooking during the hottest parts of a summer's day. Cook outdoors when
you can. 

Cook in oven-safe glass or ceramic pans when you can. They allow you to set
your oven temperature twenty-five degrees lower than the recipe calls for.

Keep pots and pans covered and use the right size pot or pan for the size of
your stove's burner. Use properly fitted lids to hold the heat in.
When boiling a liquid, only put in the pot what you will use. Start with a
high heat setting. When boiling starts, turn the heat down and allow foods
to simmer until fully cooked.

Begin a self-cleaning cycle while your oven is still hot from cooking.

Do summer cooking in the evening so your home stays more comfortable during
the day. 

Cook several dishes in the oven at the same time. Prepare double recipes
when you can and freeze for future use. Re-heat with microwave.

Take the pan test on a gas stove or cook top. If the flame is visible on the
sides of the pan, lower the setting to conserve fuel.

Keep the door closed when broiling in a gas stove to keep in high
temperatures. The gas flames will consume smoke and grease.

Partially thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator before cooking them. In many
cases, thawing foods lets you cut cooking times by a third.

Don't place your refrigerator next to your stove or other sources of heat.
And allow adequate wall and cabinet clearance. Giving a refrigerator or
freezer "room to breath" will let it operate more efficiently and prevent
premature burnout. 

Store the most perishable items in the coldest part of your refrigerator
(usually the back or top shelf), so you can set the temperature slightly
higher. 

Twice a year -- more often if you have long-haired pets -- unplug your
refrigerator and vacuum the coils in the back or underneath. Dirt and dust
on the coils greatly reduces efficiency.

Allow hot foods to cool before putting them in the refrigerator. Make sure
you don't over-crowd shelves or block the circulation of air inside.
Wipe any moisture off containers before putting them in the refrigerator,
and keep foods in the refrigerator covered. Moisture will otherwise build up
rapidly and you'll use more energy to remove it.

Be sure your refrigerator door closes tightly and the gasket is in good
condition. Check it by closing the door on a piece of paper. If you can
easily pull the paper out when the door is closed, you need a new gasket. If
you have a magnetic gasket, put a flashlight inside pointed at various areas
of the gasket and close the door. If you can see light, you need a new
gasket. 

Laundry Room

In summer, run the dryer at night so its warmth isn't released during the
heat of the day. 

Clear the lint screen after each load for quick drying.

Check and clean your dryer exhaust vent periodically. Remove lint after each
load. 

If your clothes dryer has an automatic cycle, use it. Drying more than
needed wastes energy and wears out clothes.

Check the outside vent lid monthly to make sure it opens and closes freely.
If it doesn't close tightly, replace it with one that does to keep outside
air from leaking in.

Dry loads of clothing back to back, using the leftover heat. This reduces
overall drying time and lowers energy costs.

Wash full loads only.

Use the maximum washing time only for heavily soiled clothes. Washing longer
than necessary wastes energy and wears out clothes.

Vary the size of garments in a load so water can circulate freely.

Use warm or cold water for washing and always use cold water to rinse.

Living room

Move furniture away from heating and cooling registers or radiators.
Blocking or restricting air flow makes heating and air conditioning systems
work harder. 

Consider using solid-state dimmers with your incandescent lights. When you
finish using a reading or work light, you can dim it for general room
illumination. 

Choose light-colored, translucent lamp shades. Many lampshades, while
decorative, can actually reduce light or send it somewhere you don't need
it. 

Install thermal shades or shutters on windows. They close tightly and are
one of the most effective ways to stop heat loss through your windows.

Water heater

Lower the water temperature setting on your water heater. In an average
home, 120°degrees is sufficient.

Turn off your water heater when you'll be away from home for a vacation or
for any extended period.

Insulate your water heater if it's in an unconditioned space. You can buy an
inexpensive insulation kit at most home improvement stores -- or you can do
it yourself with backed roll insulation and duct tape. Gas water heaters
should be insulated carefully. Check the manufacturer's recommendations.

Insulate the first 3 to 6 feet of cold and hot water pipes near your water
heater. Insulating all your hot water pipes is only necessary where pipes
are located in a crawl space or attic. Keep foam insulation at least 6
inches from the vent of a gas water heater.

Turn your gas water heater control valve to "pilot" when you're away from
home for a week or more.

Drain sediment from the tank twice a year. A rumbling or crackling sound is
a sure sign of sediment build-up. If it hasn't been done regularly, you may
need to flush the tank. First, shut off incoming water and drain water from
tank. Then allow a few gallons of cold water to refill the tank and drain
again. Repeat until drain water runs clear. If you have a gas water heater,
make sure to turn off the gas valve beforehand.
 
Lou Zeller
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League 336-982-2691
P.O. Box 88  
Glendale Springs, NC 28629
www.bredl.org/ <http://www.bredl.org/>


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