With the high cost of fuel for energy everyone is wondering how they are going to pay their bills this winter. Delaware County Extension can help. The Extension office has several publications that can assist you with low cost methods to winterize your home. Pick up these publications at the Delaware County Extension Office at 1417 North Franklin Street in Manchester. If you don’t have the time to stop in at the Delaware County Extension Office, we have a recorded presentation available here. If you would like more information on winterizing your home or information about families, youth, horticulture, agriculture, business, industry, or economic development, contact the Delaware County Extension Office at 563-927-4201.
In addition to our booklets and webcast above there are a few simple things you can investigate to save additional energy. Based on the booklet, “Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings”, there is a simple checklist for you to use in your home that will guide you to make some lost/no cost adjustments to save energy. Since colder weather is just around the corner, it is important to get started as soon as possible. So, what can you do today? Below is the immediate checklist:
To Do Today
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Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.
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Check if your water heater has an insulating blanket. An insulating blanket will pay for itself in one year or less!
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If you have one of those silent guzzlers, a waterbed, make your bed today. The covers will insulate it, and save up to one-third of the energy it uses.
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Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers.
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Survey your incandescent lights for opportunities to replace them with compact fluorescents (CFLs). These lamps can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. The best targets are 60-100W bulbs used several hours a day. New CFLs come in many sizes and styles to fit in most standard fixtures.
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Check the age and condition of your major appliances, especially the refrigerator. You may want to replace it with a more energy-efficient model before it dies. Clean or replace furnace, air-conditioner, and heat-pump filters.
You or your energy supplier may have already done some of these things, but if you are not sure, check them out.
With a little work and not much money, you can save a great deal on your energy cost. If there are windows that you never open, you may want to consider leaving the rope caulk and plastic on all year. You will still be able to see out these windows and the plastic is almost invisible. Keep in mind that many of these practices will be sealing up your home more than you are used to, so be sure to have carbon monoxide detectors installed as well.
Bruce Bearinger
10/9/2009