October is National Energy Awareness Month

Learn how to keep your heating bills down as temperatures drop!

ENERGY TIPS 

Get great tips, tricks, and ideas for a more sustainable lifestyle.

DID YOU KNOW? If your house is like the average household in the Midwest, more than half of your annual energy expenditures go toward heating (31%), air-conditioning (12%) and water heating (12%).

• Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day. Wear a sweater or dress in layers depending on your indoor activity level. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you'll save up to 5% on heating costs.
• When you leave home for an extended time, set the thermostat at 55 degrees or turn it off at night.                               This can save 5-20% of your heating costs.
• Install an ENERGY STAR-qualified programmable thermostat to automatically dial down the temperature at night and during the day when your house is unoccupied. Many energy companies provide incentives for homeowners installing programmable thermostats.

• Replace or clean your furnace filters once a month, and get your furnace tuned-up.                                                  Proper furnace maintenance can save up to 5% of energy costs.
• Traditional fireplaces are an energy loser - it's best not to use them because they pull heated air out of the house and up the chimney. When not in use, make absolutely sure the damper is closed. Before closing the damper, make sure that you don't have any smoldering embers. If you decide not to use a fireplace, then block off the chimney with a piece of rigid insulation from the hardware store that fits snugly into the space (dampers don't shut fully without some leaking).

Did you know? An average household dedicates 11% of its energy use to lighting.