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Keep Some Money in Your Wallet this Winter
These four steps will help you "H.E.A.T." smartly while reducing
home energy consumption and environmental impact this winter:
Home Sealing. Seal air links and add insulation - paying special
attention to your attic and basement, where the biggest gaps and
cracks are often found. This will keep warm air inside where it
belongs and help your equipment perform more efficiently.
Equipment Maintenance. Dirt and neglect are the number one
causes of system failure. Get a check-up of your heating system to
make sure it's performing efficiently and safely. Clean or replace
your system's air filter to help lower energy bills and maintain
better indoor air quality.
Ask for Energy Star. Look for the Energy Star label when
purchasing products. If just one in 10 households bought Energy
Star qualified heating and cooling products, the change would keep
18 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions out of our air.
Thermostat use. Install a programmable thermostat to save energy.
When properly used, a programmable thermostat can save a
substantial amount in energy costs.
There is also an easy way for businesses and other organizations to
save 10 percent or more on their energy bills this winter: turn down
the heat. Many businesses operate their heating systems 24 hours a
day, even when no one is using the facility. If businesses cut back just
one hour of operation out of every 12, their energy savings could
equal about 8 percent. If every business in the United States saved 10
percent on their energy bills, Americans would save about $10 billion
and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 15
million vehicles.
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