Here's a few Energy $aving ideas from the folks here at Chapman Lumber...

WINTER/HEATING SEASONS

• Install a programmable thermostat. In the winter, set the heat lower while you are away or sleeping and warmer while you plan to be at home. (Cost: $30 to $60). Lowering the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours per day can reduce your heating costs by up to 10%!
• Move electronics such as lamps and televisions away from the thermostat, a thermostat can pick up the heat from the electronic device rather than the true air temperature prohibiting it from functioning properly and efficiently.
• If you have an electric dryer, install a dryer heat diverter. This handy gadget diverts the heat from your dryer into the house instead of outside. Fifty, forty, even thirty minutes of heat from the dryer can reduce your winter heating cost - PLUS it adds some much needed humidity to the dry winter air. Not applicable for gas dryers. (Cost: Under $10)
• Install an insulation blanket around your hot water heater, be careful not to cover the thermostat. (Cost: Under $20)
• Install pipe insulation around your hot and cold water pipes for at least the first six feet from your water heater. (Cost: $1.50 to $2.00 per 6 foot length)
• Wrap heating ducts in basement ceilings, crawl spaces and attics with insulation. Up to 60% of heat can be lost traveling through unheated areas.
• Insulate attics, crawl spaces and basement ceilings with rolled fiberglass, rigid foam or reflectix type insulation.
• Utilize plastic window insulator kits - especially in rooms you don't use often - even install plastic over insulated or double pane windows. If the glass feels colder than room temperature to the touch, it's losing heat!
• Replace weatherstrip and door bottoms if you feel a draft.
• Move furniture away from heating vents. Furniture will absorb heat causing uneven heating zones.
• Close fireplace dampers and cover kitchen/bath exhaust fans when not in use.
• Insulate around recessed lighting cups, light switch boxes and plugs.

SUMMER/COOLING SEASONS

• Keep your window treatments closed during the day to prevent solar heat gain.
• Utilize clothes lines and racks to dry clothing as much as possible. Hang clothing on hangars in a shaded area if you're worried about fading. (We know some folks that ditched their electric dryers altogether and they're saving around $30 to $40 per month in electricity!!!)
• Turn down the temperature on your hot water heater. 120 degrees is adequate and should be comfortable. Set the hot water heater to a vacation or low setting if you'll be away more than a day or two. You can save $7 to $10 a week if your water heater is off!
• Turn off your dishwashers drying cycle and let the dishes air dry. Doing dishes by hand is the most energy efficient way to go!
• Install air conditioners on the north side of the house or in a shaded area. Air conditioners operating in the sun use up to 10% more energy! Turn off air conditioners after dark!
• Utilize fans (especially ceiling fans) to move hot air out of second floor windows. At night, use the fans to draw cooler air into the house.

ALL SEASONS/GENERAL HOME ENERGY SAVING IDEAS

• Install motion detectors on outdoor lighting to reduce the amount of energy used yet keep your level of security.
• Fix leaky faucets or shower heads and running toilets ASAP! Not only does it waste a lot of water, it drains the hot water heater slowly causing it to run more often! A running toilet can double your water usage!
• Consider using a toaster oven in one or two person households. A toaster oven uses one third to half the electricity of an electric oven.
• If it's time to replace your gas range or stove top, purchase a unit with an automatic or electric ignition rather than units with pilot flames running all the time.