At a Wright County Extension meeting the first part of December, Chad Chapman and Darren Johnson, Prairie Energy Member Service Advisors, gave those in attendance ‘tips’ on ways to save money on energy. While the two go to people’s homes to evaluate energy usage for Prairie Energy customers, they would be more than happy to provide the booklet “101 Easy Ways to Save Energy and Money” to anyone who might request it. The office number is 515-532-2805.
While there are ways to save money which could require a lot of work and/or money (i.e. replacement of doors or windows), there are quick easy inexpensive ways to impact those home energy bills (i.e. keeping curtains open during the winter months when the sun is beating down). The two went through the one-hundred-plus steps with the group.
Top Ten on the hit parade of best ways to save energy: replace any light bulb (especially ones that are on one hour per day or more) with LED bulbs; close shades and drapes during the day, during the heat of summer; plug electronic devices (cable boxes, printers, TVs) into power strips to turn them off during vacations or long periods without use; on the outside of homes, caulk around penetrations (telephone, electrical, cable, gas, dryer vents); change HVAC air filters monthly.
“Use your dishwasher’s air-dry cycle,” said Johnson. “Be sure refrigerator door seals are tight.”
Chapman added, “Set your water temperature no higher than 120 degrees F. That is high enough for any washing and it is not a hazard of being too hot for young children who happen to be at your house. Make sure your dryer vent hose is not kinked or clogged and that it is straight. Keep attached garage doors down. A warmer garage in the winter and a cooler garage in the summer will save energy.”
Heating and cooling of homes is the largest use of energy, accounting for 40 – 50% of annual energy usage and spending. Johnson said, “Set thermostats to 78 degrees in the summer and 68 in the winter.” Both he and Chapman said that is the ideal, but each family has to decide what they can find ‘livable’. Each degree can make a difference of 3% of annual energy bills.
Run ceiling ‘paddle’ fans on medium, blowing down in summer and fans on low, blowing up in the winter. Chapman said, “Turn off ceiling fans when there is no one in the room. Fans cool people, not rooms.” It’s simple to insulate electric wall outlets and wall switches with foam pads.
Lighting can amount to 11% of monthly energy use. Energy saving light bulbs can slice costs by 75%. Kitchens can add 15 – 20% of any monthly energy use (appliance use and refrigeration). “It’s good to keep refrigerators and freezers filled,” said Chapman. “If the freezer is empty, fill some jugs or ice buckets with ice and include them in the freezer.” He said if you have purchased a more energy efficient appliance, get rid of the old one. Don’t downgrade it to be used in a basement or garage. It might not be worth it in the long run.
Water heating can amount to 12% of any energy bill. A couple of tips: limit showers to 5 – 7 minutes; install a water saving shower head; fix drippy faucets; don’t let the water run while shaving or brushing your teeth.
Chapman and Johnson encourage people to ‘think about their uses of energy’. Chapman said, “People can do a little and save a lot!”
