Energy Saving Tips
Energy Tip 1
If today's recent energy prices aren’t enough incentive to make your home more energy efficient, Uncle Sam started offering federal tax credits this year. Improving insulation or replacing your water heater, furnace, windows, or outside doors are among the improvements that qualify, but there’s a catch. The work must be completed by Dec. 31, 2007.
You can get up to $500 in total credits, but certain improvements qualify for only a fraction of that amount. Click here for details on the tax credits, including which projects and products qualify and the amount of credit for each project,
Where should you start? Add insulation. The attic is an especially good place. Most homes, even those built recently, don’t have enough insulation under the attic floor. Insulating and weather-stripping your house can also cut energy bills by up to 30 percent.
Energy Tip 2
Seal any leaks in your heating or cooling system ducts. Also fix leaks in water/steam heat pipes. Savings: 5-25 percent of heating/cooling costs.
Energy Tip 3
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Programmable Thermostats: You can save as much as 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10% to 15% for 8 hours each day. You can do this automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. |
Energy Tip 4
Invest in a high-efficiency oil-fired water heater: Ask your local Daigle Oil Office about an indirect water heater system. With these modern water heaters, you can enjoy a practically endless stream of hot water. During the heating season, this hot water is basically free; a byproduct of your home heating use. In the summer time, Oilheat is one of the most cost-efficient methods for making hot water.
Energy Tip 5
Sunshine! Windows on the south side of the house get the most sunlight. Eastern windows get sunlight in the morning. West facing windows receive sunlight in the afternoon. Open shades and drapes during the daytime to let the sun’s warmth enter your home, and close them when the sun goes down to keep the warm air in.
Energy Tip 6
A heating system tune-up will save you money: To get the most value from the heating oil you buy you should call and schedule an annual tune-up of your heating system. Having your system tuned up will ensure that it is running properly and at peak efficiency. That can mean saving as much as 5% on fuel. Daigle Oil Co. has our own professionally trained and certified Oilheat technicians who can service your furnace or boiler. Remember, the best time to schedule this important job is during the spring and summer. Call Daigle Oil Co. today for more information.
Energy Tip 7
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Upgrade your oil burner: A modern burner can cut costs by 15%.
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Energy Tip 8
Use the exhaust fan in your bathroom sparingly.In just one hour a single fan can remove a houseful of warmed or cooled air.
Energy Tip 9
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Water heating can account for 14%–25% of the energy consumed in your home. You can reduce your monthly water heating bills by selecting the appropriate water heater for your home or pool and by using some energy-efficient water heating strategies.Lowering the thermostat on your water heater by 10ºF can save you between 3%–5% in energy costs. Most households only require a water heater thermostat setting of 120ºF, or even 115ºF. |
Energy Tip 10
Change the windows. Consider new low-emissivity glass, which will decrease radiant heat loss without lowering visibility.
Energy Tip 11
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A new Oilheat system could be 40% more efficient: How old is your heating system? You may be surprised to learn just how efficient Oilheat systems have become over the past 20 years. Upgrading an old system to a new one is an investment that can pay for itself in a relatively short period of time. |
Energy Tip 12
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INSTALL A BECKETT HEATMANAGER |