December 2005
Lower Heating
Bill
with an Efficient
Home
This
holiday season, the last thing you want to worry about is your energy bill.
But with this year's record-high natural gas prices, conserving energy is
the best option for keeping your energy costs as low as possible.
You
may not be conserving as much energy as you think. Check the efficiency of
your home and your gas appliances.
Inspect
Your Heating System
Efficient
gas heating systems can save you money. To keep your gas furnace running efficiently,
you must keep it properly maintained.
- Routinely
change the air filter. During the heating season, replace or clean air filters
every month. Dirty filters restrict airflow, causing your heating system
to work harder and use more natural gas.
- Remove any
combustible products near the furnace. Check the unit for dust, rust or
other signs of corrosion.
- Have a licensed
heating contractor inspect your furnace. A routine inspection should include
the blower, blower belt, heat exchanger, pilot light and flue system.
- Check the
ductwork. Dirt streaks indicate air leaks that cause your furnace to work
harder during the winter months to keep your home comfortable.
Leaky ducts can waste up to one-third or more of the heating your system
produces. Why pay a third more to heat your home?
Seal joints with a paste, like mastic. Ducts located in unheated areas should
also be insulated.
- Consider a
newer, more efficient furnace. If your unit is more than 15 years old, it
may need replacing. (Read Atlanta Gas Light's rebate information on the
back.)
Seal
Air Leaks
Air
travels in and out of your home everyday through small cracks and crevices.
You pay to heat this air in the wintertime and cool it during the summer.
Save 10 percent on your energy bill by sealing leaks.
- Check around
the windows. If there's a gap between the wall and the window's frame, take
measures to properly seal it. Use caulking, a flexible paste, to seal cracks,
joints.
- Check the
doors. Add weatherstripping or install a floor sweep if needed.
- Inspect the
attic. Cold air can leak into your home through attic fans and access doors.
Use expandable foam or caulk to fill in the trim work. Add an insulated
cover to your pull-down stairs and attic fan. Don't forget to remove the
cover before turning on the attic fan!
- Close the
fireplace damper while not in use. Open the damper before using the fireplace
to release smoke and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Check
Insulation
Ensure
that your home is properly insulated. Older homes may not be insulated according
to today's energy requirements, or they may not be insulated at all.
- For customized
insulation recommendations, use the U.S. Department of Energy's
Zip Code Insulation Calculator and complete the online form according
to your home's specifications.
If your home's not insulated, consider adding insulation with the recommended
R-value (the ability to resist heat transfer) for Georgia homes. Check the
DOE's recommendations online at www.eere.energy.gov
or www.energycodes.gov.
A licensed heating and air contractor has special equipment for installing
insulation in the attic.
- Dirty spots
in the insulation indicate leaks. Cover holes with a sheet of plastic and
seal the edges with caulking.
Dollars
invested in proper insulation is money well spent. Insulating your home and
sealing air leaks increase the comfort of your home, making it more efficient
and reducing your energy costs.
Go
to the Energy Conservation Center
for more tips.
Read
other articles from The Walton EMC Gasette:
Recipes
Gas up the stove using recipes from
Walton EMC Natural Gas customers. Our customers are encouraged to submit their
favorite and unique recipes to us throughout the year. Each month, one recipe
is published in The Walton EMC Gasette for other customers to enjoy.
The customers who get their recipe in the newsletter also receive a $25 credit
toward their next Walton EMC Natural Gas bill.
Browse
recipes featured in The Walton EMC Gasette.
