Facts & Tips from the U.S. Department of Energy Energy-Saving Tips For The Home (NAPSA)—Keeping your cool in the kitchen could save you some cash. A typical kitchen ventilation fan can pull out a houseful of cooled air in one hour. That can cause energy bills to rise. Try these energy- and money-savingtips from the Department of Energy (DOE): Save Every Day Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. Use a microwaveoven instead of a conventional oven. Use a powerstrip to control yourelectricity use. A large number of electrical products—from air conditioners to VCRs—can’t be switched off completely without being unplugged. These products draw power 24 hours a day. Plugging them into a powerstrip to shut them off will save you money. Lowerthe thermostat on your hot water heater to 115 and take showers instead of baths. Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry. Landscape For Efficiency The shelter from three trees, properly planted around a house, can cut annual heating/cooling costs up to $250. Grown on trellises, vines and ivy can shade windows or the whole side of a house. Trees or shrubs can shade air-conditioning units. AC, Appliances And Lighting * Open windowsand use fans instead of air conditioning. Use a fan to maximize and spread the cooled air from air conditioner units. Use a programmable thermostat with the AC to adjust the unit at night or when no one is home. Keep lamps and TVs away from the thermostat. The appliances’ heat could cause the air conditioner to run longer. Replace five most frequently used lights with Energy Star bulbs Sy ate . ky @ A quick energy checklist could save you money. andfixtures and save $60 a year. According to the President’s National Energy Policy, typical homeowners can save an estimated 30 percent (about $400) a year on their home energy bill by using Energy Star products. Shade The Windows Install white shades, drapes or blindsto reflect heat. Close curtains on southwest-facing windows during the day. Sunny windows can make an air conditioner work three times harder. Replacing single- and doublepaned windows with Energy Star qualified windows can savea significant amount of money on your energy bill over time. Weatherize Caulking and weatherstripping will help keep indoor air cool. If you see holes or separated joints in ducts, hire a professional to repair them. e Add insulation around AC ducts in attics and crawl spaces. Also be sure the fireplace damper is securely closed. Consider investing in insulation for the whole house. For over 100 energy-saving tips, visit the Energysavers.gov Website or call 1-877-337-3463. For more information about energy efficiency and renewable energy, www.energysavers. gov. visit
