This Season's Topics:

Now Is the Time to Prepare for Winter

Energy Auditing Tips

Appliances

Fall is a good time to get your home and heating equipment in shape for the upcoming winter. The typical U.S. family spends between $1300 and $1400 annually for utilities. This presents a good opportunity for savings as well as improving the environment.

Electricity generated for the average household produces the carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent of two cars. Autos receive much attention and criticism as big generators of CO2. But, if we want to make a contribution to cleaner air and save money at the same time, making our homes more energy efficient is the way to go.

Winter Tips

Spring Tips

Summer Tips

 

Now Is the Time to Prepare for Winter

The coming winter heating season holds the promise of higher energy rates by as much 25%. A new, more efficient heating system may cost between $4,000 and $10,000. High efficiency furnaces paired with heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular in the Midwest .

 

Heating costs vary, but a typical homeowner heating with an older, less efficient system can cut those costs by close to 50% with a more efficient unit. Calculate your own payback with a new system---the amount you save annually divided into the cost of the new unit(s). This may not be a "straight-line" calculation as rates have gone up and apparently will continue to rise. So use your past consumption (units of gas and/or electricity compared to estimated future use to arrive at potential savings. Weather is also a factor. Your contractor and utility company can help.

 

Find more information from KCPL, go to the KCPL link at: http://www.kcpl.com/residential/hee.html

And on the Westar Customer Service link at: https://www.wr.com/corp_com/contentmgt.nsf/ff11ffee2bcec3d086256d42005707a9/fdf7870377f7a0af86256ddd00500de6?OpenDocument#Preparing%20for%20cooler%20weather

 

 

What can you do to reduce heating costs?

• Install a new high efficiency furnace, with variable speed fan, paired with a heat pump. Watch for dealer promotions. Check with your electric company for advice. With a heat pump lower electric rates are available during the fall, winter and early spring further helping with the payback on a new system.
• Read labels and compare when you shop for a major appliance.
• Caulk and weatherstrip.
• Insulate your home. Install storm windows and doors.
• Dial down. Wear a sweater instead of turning up the furnace.
• Use a space heater.

Return to Top

Energy Auditing Tips

The fist step toward improved energy use is to perform an energy audit on your home. Here are a few major items with which to start.

• Check the level of insulation in your exterior and basement walls, ceilings, attic, floors, and crawl spaces. Use this link for advice on how to check your insulation levels.
• Replace Thermostats ---This is one of the easiest and cheapest procedures. Replace with a new programmable thermostat. These are a great help to improve efficiency for persons not at home during the day. You can save 10% by turning your thermostat down for 8 hours daily. Settings can be programmed to warm-up the house a little before family members arrive. Prices range up to $100. Advice is available at your local hardware or home improvement store.
• Install storm windows. Another key item to keep the heat in.
• Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home. Local hardware and building supply stores can help.
• Check for open fireplace dampers.
• Install a new heating system. If you current unit is 10-12 years old or older, a new system with recent improvements will be a good investment. Get competing bids from heating and cooling firms that have a good reputation. Ask neighbors who have recently done this for suggestions.
• Put an insulation wrap around your hot water heater.
• Make sure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained. An annual pre-season checkup is wise especially for older units.
• Pay special attention to lighting use patterns and high-use areas such as the living room, kitchen, and exterior lighting. Look for ways to use daylighting, reduce the time the lights are on, and replace incandescent bulbs and fixtures with or standard fluorescent lamps. For more information about lighting savings go to: http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/saveenergy/save_light.html
• Buy good filters and change regularly .60-90 days maximum
• Check for the "Energy Star" label when buying new appliances. See www.energystar.gov for more information.
• For more advice check the following website:
• www.energysavers.gov

For a checklist of opportunities on how to make your home more energy friendly go to the U.S. Department of Energy site at:

http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/energy_savers/

Return to Top

 

 

Appliances

Whole home efficiency should be the goal. Not only checking for air leaks in ducts, windows and doors as well as sufficient insulation, but new Energy Star rated appliances can be big money savers, too. These appliances exceed existing federal efficiency standards, typically, by 13% to 20%, and as much as 110% for some appliances. Customers can be assured that the appliance being purchased is a high-performance product which will reduce the operating cost of that appliance or product every month during the course of its lifetime. For more information go to:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=appliances.pr_appliances

Return to Top