Energy Savings Guide
As the cost of energy goes up, more and more people are concerned
about their utility bills. Consumers are looking for ways to manage
their energy use and reduce costs. Touchstone Energy cooperatives
have always placed a priority on promoting energy efficiency to their
members. That's why we created this Home Energy Savings Guide.
You Have the Power to Control Your Energy Costs
This Home Energy Savings Guide is a starting point
to get you on the way toward better energy management for your home.
In this booklet you’ll find valuable tips designed to create
greater home comfort and improve performance. There is a list of
additional resources located at the end of this booklet.
Home Energy Savings
Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative works hard to
hold down energy prices. You, too, can play an important role in
controlling your energy costs by evaluating your home and taking
simple steps to trim unnecessary energy use. The following are some
tips to help you reduce your energy costs.
Home Energy Costs
Get a clear picture of which parts of your home
use the most energy.
• The first step in reducing home energy
costs is to review last year's utility bills. Using the below national "percentage" averages,
a homeowner who spent $2,500 a year for home energy would have
paid roughly:
- $1,400 for heating and cooling
- $575 for appliances and lighting
- $400 for water heating
- $125 for refrigeration
• When implementing energy-saving measures,
remember, you cannot save more than you are spending.
• Contact your local Touchstone Energy Cooperative representative
to review your bills and provide you with a more accurate estimate.
Go to www.touchstoneenergy.coop for more information.
Home Energy Saving Tips
Assess how your family uses energy in your home.
• Leaving unnecessary lights on increases
energy costs.
• Turn off computers and other office equipment when they’re
not being used, especially overnight and weekends.
• Heating your home to higher than 68° in the winter or cooling it below
75° in the summer costs extra.
• Taking extra long showers runs up the water heating (and water/sewer)
bills.
Windows
A considerable amount of heat transfers through
windows. If you have single-pane windows, consider doing the following:
• Tighten and weather-strip your old windows
and then add storm windows.
• Compare the above cost with replacing your
old single-glazed windows with new double-glazed windows.
• In colder climates “low-e” coatings
on glass can help reduce heat loss through windows.
• In hot climates, consider adding solar
screening to west-facing windows that catch a lot of heating late
in the day. Solar screening is sold at many home improvement stores.
Air Infiltration
Air that transfers in and out of homes through cracks,
crevices and holes can increase energy consumption. Here are some
helpful tips to avoid air infiltration:
• Seal around pipe penetration coming through
walls.
• During hot and cold weather, ensure windows
are closed tightly and locked.
• Ensure weather-stripping around doors and
windows is tight.
• When your fireplace is not operating,
its fl ue should be closed tightly, with a sign hanging from the
flue handle warning it is closed.
• Check the ceiling behind
the cornice of built-in bookshelves for holes cut during construction.
• Drop-down, disappearing stairways should
fit tightly into the ceiling and be carefully weather-stripped.
• Whole-house attic fans should be sealed
tightly during the winter.
• Make sure your outside dryer vent door
closes when the dryer is not in use. This requires cleaning away
lint accumulation periodically.
Insulation
• If you have R-19 or less insulation in your attic, consider
bringing it up to R-38 in moderate climates, R-49 in cold climates.
• In cold climates, if you have R-11 or less floor insulation,
consider bringing it up to R-25.
Water Heater
Your water heater works with many of your home’s
other systems.
• Make sure your water heater is set at the
lowest point. Try setting it to 120°.
• Try washing clothes
with warm water and rinsing with cold water.
• Overfilling your washer can increase your
energy use.
• If your water heater is located in an unconditioned
space, consider installing a thermal wrap around it. Take care
to install it in accordance with the tank and wrap manufacturers’ instructions.
Refrigeration
Your refrigerator’s energy use can be trimmed.
• Make sure refrigerator and freezer seals
fi t tightly when doors close.
• Keep outside coils clean. Dirty coils make your refrigerator
compressor work longer to remove heat.
• Setting your freezer below 0° uses extra energy.
• Setting your refrigerator below 37° uses extra energy.
Heating and Air Conditioning
Heating and air conditioning uses the largest chunk
of your home energy dollar. Keep it running “lean and mean.”
• HVAC systems should be checked to verify they are moving
the correct amount of air. An HVAC technician can tell you if it
is.
• Heat pump and air conditioning systems should be checked
annually to verify they are properly charged, strictly in accordance
with manufacturers' guidelines.
• Inside and outside coils should be kept clean and free
of debris.
• Gas furnaces should be tuned for maximum combustion efficiency.
• Return filters should be changed monthly.
• Have a HVAC technician check carefully for duct leaks.
Leaks that are found should be sealed with fiberglass mesh and
mastic sealant.
Dryers
Drying clothes can use a fair amount of energy.
• Don't over-dry your clothes. If 50 minutes works, don't
set it to 70 minutes.
• Make sure to clean the inside lint filter before each drying
cycle.
• Periodically check your flexible metal dryer vent hose
to ensure it is still tightly connected and not kinked.
Lighting
Take a look at the lights you burn. Consider these
points:
• A 100-watt lamp costs roughly a penny an
hour to operate.
• Consider replacing incandescent with energy-saving
compact fluorescent lamps. They use a fraction of the wattage,
last much longer and give off less heat.
• When you finish cooking, turn off the kitchen
lighting and the range exhaust fan.
• Don’t leave unnecessary lighting on during the day.
• Take a look at the lighting you use at
night for security. Check with your Touchstone Energy Cooperative
to see if it can help save you money by installing a pole-mounted
outdoor light.
Selecting a Contractor
Some of the work you will want to complete will
require the services of a contractor. When selecting a contractor,
keep in mind that the cheapest price is not always the best value.
Here are some questions to ask when deciding who to use:
• How long have you been in business?
• Can you provide proof that you are state-licensed
and carry workers’ compensation insurance?
• Can you provide the names of neighbors who have used your
services?
• Are you a member of the Better Business
Bureau?
Additional Information
For more information on energy savings check with
the following sources of information:
• Visit www.touchstoneenergy.coop for information
and to locate your local Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
• U.S. Department of Energy. www.energy.gov/yourhome.htm
• Energy Star. www.energystar.gov
• Alliance to Save Energy. www.ase.org
• Your state’s energy office.
