ATLANTA, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Winter has finally arrived
and with it the colder temperatures. Now is the best time to start thinking
about ways to save on your energy bill.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050216/CLW066LOGO )
To keep warm and cut down your energy use, try these helpful
energy-saving tips around your house all winter.
-- Wrap water pipes. This will reduce heat loss from your hot water
lines and help to prevent your pipes from freezing. The best type of
wrap to use is "foam pipe wrap" that you can find at hardware stores
for an inexpensive price.
-- Caulk or re-caulk around windows and doors. This helps keep the cold
out and the heat in. If your caulking is cracked, remove it and
reseal with new caulk.
-- Change your air filters. This should be done every month or so to
help your unit's air exchange and indoor air quality. Dirty filters
can increase your system's operating costs, damage equipment and
reduce efficiency.
-- Have your heating or cooling system professionally checked to make
sure it is running properly. This can prolong the life of your
system, as well as reduce operating costs.
-- Insulate your water heater with at least R-6 insulation. Read your
water heater manufacturer's warranty to make sure it's not voided by
adding a water heater jacket. Do not cover the pressure release valve
when you wrap the water heater.
-- Check weather stripping around doors, windows and between heated and
unheated areas of your home -- such as garages, basements, attics,
etc. A good check to see if stripping needs changing: close your
door; if you see light coming through, the stripping needs changing.
-- If you have a gas heater or furnace, make sure you get a carbon
monoxide detector before using the unit.
-- Make sure your pilot light (gas furnace) is lighted before the winter
season starts. If you are not sure about lighting it yourself, call a
heating and cooling professional to do it.
-- Keep the thermostat on your heating system at the lowest comfortable
setting. Georgia Power recommends 68 degrees Fahrenheit. On the
average, you consume five percent more energy for every degree it's
set above 68 degrees. Consider using a programmable thermostat that
adjusts the temperature automatically according to your schedule.
-- If you are going away for several days, lower the thermostat to 60
degrees, but not to "off." By setting the thermostat at 60, there
will be less strain on your heating system when you return and it's
time to reheat the house. Also, having some heat in the house will
prevent damage, such as frozen or burst water pipes, from outside
freezing temperatures.
-- Keep heating vents and registers clear. Make sure they are not
blocked by draperies or furniture. The vents should also be cleaned
regularly with a vacuum or broom.
-- Let the sun shine in. On sunny days, open drapes or blinds to allow
natural solar heat to warm the house. Keep drapes and blinds closed
on cloudy days and at night. Use insulated or heavy curtains on
windows facing the north side of the house.
-- Make sure fireplace dampers fit tightly, and keep them closed when not
using the fireplace. Add a glass fireplace screen, if possible.
-- Cover bare floors. Carpeting adds to comfort and heat retention,
especially if there is little or no floor insulation.
-- Use a humidifier to keep your home more comfortable. Adding moisture
allows you to reduce the thermostat setting without feeling colder.
-- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans to help maintain a
comfortable temperature in your home. Check the switch located on
your ceiling fan or refer to your owner's manual for the proper
direction of rotation.
-- If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter
months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If
it can't be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts.
-- Check the R-value of insulation in your home. For existing homes,
Georgia Power recommends R-30 in the ceiling, R-13 in the walls and
R-11 in the floor for maximum comfort and energy efficiency. R-value
is a measure of resistance to heat flow.
For more information on how to save energy, contact your local Georgia
Power office or call Georgia Power at 1-800-524-2421. Or visit the website
at http://www.georgiapower.com to download an energy efficiency guide, schedule a
free in-home energy audit or perform your own on-line energy check-up.
Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the
nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an
investor-owned, tax-paying utility, serving customers in 57,000 of the
state's 59,000 square miles. Georgia Power's rates are more than 15 percent
below the national average and, its 2 million customers are in all but six
of Georgia's 159 counties.
SOURCE Georgia Power
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Related links:
http://www.georgiapower.com/
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CONTACT:
Georgia Power Media Relations,
+1-404-506-7676, or +1-800-282-1696, corpcomm@georgiapower.com
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