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Staying Warm without Breaking the Bank
By
Katie
Pratt
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2007) –- With winter at the doorstep and
gas prices on the rise, extension specialists from the
University of Kentucky have tips for helping homeowners and
renters save money on energy costs this season.
According to Kentucky Energy Watch, natural gas prices are
expected to increase by about 10 percent this winter to $9.46
per 1,000 cubic feet. This is an 81-cent increase from last
year. Robert Fehr, UK extension professor in biosystems and
agricultural engineering, estimated 45 percent of Kentucky
households use natural gas as their primary heat source.
An easy way to reduce energy bills is to set thermostats lower
when homeowners or occupants are gone or asleep. For every
degree thermostats are lowered, people can save up to 4 percent
off their heating bills. Heat pumps require special thermostats
if a homeowner wants to lower them while they are gone or at
night.
Another way to reduce energy bills is to block air leaks. Small
gaps around doors, windows and other areas in people’s home may
be costing them money and creating cold drafts. Plugging these
leaks could save homeowners up to 10 percent on energy bills,
and the materials will probably pay for themselves within a
year.
“The more airtight you can get a home, the more it’s going to
hold the conditioned air,” said Linda Adler, UK extension
specialist for home furnishings.
To find leaks, wait until a windy day. Then hold a lit incense
stick up to areas around window and door frames. If the flame
flickers, an air current is flowing, Adler said. These places
should be caulked and sealed. Also, check areas where plumbing,
electrical wiring or ducting enters through exterior walls,
floors, and ceilings. These openings may be under sinks or in
other places that are hidden from sight, but they still allow
cold air to enter your home. If you have pull-down attic stairs,
be sure to check for drafts and air exchange here too, she said.
Plastic film can also be installed on inside frames of older
windows to help control drafts. Shrink-wrap plastic kits are
inexpensive and available from most hardware and home
improvement stores. Plastic film can be a beneficial option for
renters looking to save on energy costs because it is easily
removed.
Adler said homeowners should inspect and change furnace air
filters on a regular basis. Changing filters once a month is
recommended, but they should be changed at least once every
season. People should write the date on the filter so they will
remember when it was last changed. Clogged air filters will
reduce the efficiency of furnaces and cause them to work harder.
“If furnace filters aren’t changed on a regular basis, they
won’t be as effective in controlling dust, allergens, and other
impurities,” Adler said.
She recommends people with allergies or asthma get a high
efficiency or electronic filter for their furnace. A high
efficiency or electronic filter traps more dust and allergens.
Before buying a high efficiency filter, check the instruction
manual for the furnace or contact a manufacturer to make sure
their furnace fan can maintain sufficient airflow.
When trying to save on energy, people need to consider the
airflow within their homes. For example, heating vents need to
be kept clear. Vents blocked by rugs and furniture prevent
heated air from circulating efficiently. Fans should be used
wisely. Kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans serve a purpose.
These fans should be used and turned off when they have
completed their task. If left on for just one hour, a
hard-working ventilation exhaust can force out a houseful of
warm air and bring in cold air that must be heated.
Ceiling fans can be useful all year long since most fans have a
reverse option. The reverse option should be used during cold
weather months. Since warm air rises, rooms with especially high
ceilings will benefit from a ceiling fan set on reverse and run
at the lowest speed. This moves the warm air back down toward
the floor and creates a more even temperature throughout the
room.
Some people use ceramic heaters to even out heat distribution,
but they are not as energy efficient as some think. Fehr said
the air comes out of ceramic heaters is hot, but it has nothing
to do with energy efficiency or cost.
“A ceramic heater is just a straight resistant electric heater,”
Fehr said. “They don’t deliver any more heat than other electric
heaters per kilowatt of electricity used.”
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Contact: Linda Adler, 859-257-7771
Robert Fehr, 859-257-3000 ext. 203
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The UK College
of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across
the commonwealth with teaching, research and extension
to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
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