HOMEOWNER S GUIDE TO LOWERING YOUR ENERGY BILL.

Transcription

1 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE TO LOWERING YOUR ENERGY BILL.

2 Table of Contents Welcome... 2 How to Read Your Appliance s ENERGY GUIDE Label Ways to Save Energy in the Home Right Now... 4 Conserve While You Cook... 5 Sweating Your Heating Bill? 4 Fast Tips That Will Save You Money... 8 Air Leaks: The Silent Thief... 9 Reduce Your Hot Water Bill Work from Home? Home Office Energy-Saving Tips Tips for the Long Haul How to Conserve Energy for the Life of Your Home.. 13

3 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill Welcome Congratulations! You ve taken a huge step to begin significantly decreasing your home energy bill. By downloading our Homeowner s Guide to Lowering Your Energy Bill, you ll be educated on how to increase your overall energy efficiency and save money. When you implement the following tips and suggestions in your home, you will notice as much as a 25% decrease in your overall energy consumption. When conversations arise about how to cut monthly expenses in a home, the emphasis is primarily placed on spending habits and expunging unnecessary extras from monthly budgets. However, there are many steps you can take around your home that can save your family hundreds of dollars per year on your utility expenses, all while making a positive impact on our environment and conservation efforts. Making your home energy efficient is a mix of instant tweaks and long-term investments. We know you ll find the tips practical, easy and economical. Some steps may require improvements or upgrades in your current units or appliances. Even if those are not in the budget yet, the energy-saving tips you are receiving will help you start saving money right away. In addition, if you decide to sell your home in the future, your home value can increase simply by making your home more energy efficient. To learn more tips and tricks from our team of professionals, we invite you to visit or engage with us on our social media networks: Paraco Gas Corporation

4 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 3 How to Read Your Appliance s ENERGY GUIDE Label Before we begin offering tips on energy efficiency, we d like to give you an introduction to the ENERGY GUIDE label and the ENERGY STAR qualification. Both of these components will be cited and mentioned throughout the remainder of this guide. The ENERGY GUIDE label is a bright yellow sticker that is required to be placed on all appliances. This label displays pertinent information that you will need to compare the energy efficiency of appliances. The Basics In the upper right-hand corner of the ENERGY GUIDE, you ll find the standard information about the appliance, including the make, model and overall size. Features Located on the upper left corner of the ENERGY GUIDE, you will notice bullets of key features that the model possesses, as well as comparable models that are in line with cost and efficiency. Estimated Annual Cost In the direct center of the ENERGY GUIDE, you ll notice a range graph, which will tell you what the average annual operating cost is for this appliance. Please note that this number is not an exact operating cost, but is simply a national average. Based on the activity and usage in your home, you can expect this number to vary. The ENERGY STAR logo distinguishes a product that goes beyond the strict minimum federal guidelines set for efficiency. If the appliance you re considering is truly ENERGY STAR qualified, you ll see the logo on the lower right-hand corner of your ENERGY GUIDE. Now that you ve learned the basics of the ENERGY GUIDE and the ENERGY STAR logo, let s get down to business and show you how to take control of the energy efficiency of your home!

5 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 4 10 Ways to Save Energy in the Home Right Now To begin down the path of total home efficiency, we ll start with a brief overview of quick tips and then further expand on varied areas of energy efficiency across your home. Before we delve into energy-saving techniques, it s important to pinpoint that a whole-home, long-term commitment to energy efficiency will provide you optimal savings on your energy consumption. What s comforting is that many of the following tips are quite easy to implement into your daily routine and, after some time, will become second nature. Let s begin, shall we? 1. Instead of using your dishwasher s heated drying cycle, opt to air dry your dishes. To help make this an easy adjustment to your schedule, run the dishwasher later in the evening to allow plenty of time for your dishes to dry. 2. Just like your parents constantly told you, turn off lights and electronics once you exit a room. 3. Plug electronics, such as televisions and computers, into power strips. This allows controlled energy usage and protects your valuables from sudden power surges. Electronics that are plugged into outlets still utilize energy, even if they are not in use. 4. Lower the thermostat of your water heater slightly to 120 degrees. 5. Take showers instead of baths, which saves a considerable amount of water, resulting in less energy consumption by your water heater. 6. When it comes to washing clothes or running the dishwasher, commit to running only full loads. 7. If you re able, select to air dry clothes as much as possible, in lieu of using your dryer.

6 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 5 8. Before turning on your air conditioning or furnace, ensure that all doors and windows are tightly closed. 9. Drive sensibly. Excessive speed, unnecessary acceleration and quick braking waste fuel. 10. Commit to only purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified appliances when upgrades are necessary. Not so intimidating, right? Energy efficiency can be quite simple to integrate into your home with just a few steps and conscious decisions. Conserve While You Cook Now that the basics have been established, let s explore the tips and tricks of optimizing your energy usage across your home to help you achieve wholehome efficiency. Let s start with the heart of the home: the kitchen! From lighting to cooking, here s how you can make a dent in one of the most utilized and energy-consuming areas of your home: Lighting Overall lighting costs in a home average 6% of total energy consumption. Making conscious adjustments to your lighting usage can be one of the quickest ways to make a dent in your utility bill. Aside from ensuring that lights are turned off when you exit your kitchen, make the switch to energy-efficient lighting. Although energy-efficient lighting has a higher purchasing cost than traditional light bulbs, consumers enjoy light bulbs that typically last longer and pull less energy, thus reducing your overall energy costs. Another option to consider is updating your light switches to include a dimming option. This gives you control of your light brightness, while not compromising overall lighting coverage. Take your efficiency updates a step further by installing ENERGY STAR certified fixtures, which provide better and smoother lighting coverage than standard light fixtures.

7 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 6 Appliances Appliances are one of the biggest consumers of energy in a home, averaging nearly 13% of total energy costs. Aside from making small adjustments to your daily usage, updating your appliances to energy-efficient models can drastically cut your monthly bill and lower levels of water consumption without affecting the quality of wash cycles. Dishwasher When it comes to pre-treating, manually scraping and rinsing your dishes will suffice instead of soaking and washing your dishes before you place them into your dishwasher. Reserve heavily soiled or charred dishes for soaking or a thorough pre-treatment. As your wash cycle comes to a close, refrain from utilizing your dishwasher s heated drying cycle; instead, opt to air dry your dishes to reduce your energy output. Further, select to only run full but not overloaded loads of dishes in your dishwasher. By doing this, you will not only improve your energy efficiency, but you will also consume less water. Another small update you can make is to decrease the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees, which will provide energy savings across your entire home. You likely won t notice a difference, but your utility bill will at the end of the month! Refrigerator and Freezer Though it may not be feasible to limit the number of times you open your refrigerator, make sure that the seals around your refrigerator are not damaged, causing it to overwork. You can quickly test the efficiency of the seals by placing a piece of paper between your refrigerator or freezer and the seal and shutting the door. If you re able to easily slide the piece of paper out, it s time to explore replacing the old seals so your controlled air temperatures can be better maintained. Additionally, optimize the temperature settings of your freezer to 5 degrees and your refrigerator to degrees. Making these minor updates to your temperature control settings will not compromise your food storage.

8 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 7 Oven and Range To run an efficient range, ensure that the burners or reflectors are kept in tiptop shape and are clean. While cooking, match your cookware size with the size of the burners. You ll not only enjoy an even heating surface, but your range will operate more efficiently. As for your oven, as tempting as it may be, refrain from opening the oven door to check on meal progress. Instead, use the light or peek through the oven window. Each time an oven is opened during use, the temperature can drop up to 25 degrees, requiring more energy to restore your oven to the set temperature. Small Appliances Whenever possible, select smaller appliances, such as convection ovens, to prepare and cook your meals. Small appliances utilize half as much energy as large appliances. ENERGY STAR When you re in the market for new appliances for your home, seek ENERGY STAR labeled appliances, which in some cases can cut energy usage by up to 90%. To be a true, certified ENERGY STAR appliance, the appliance must surpass the minimum federal standards of efficiency. To identify an ENERGY STAR appliance, a bold blue sticker is placed on the unit to signify its designation.

9 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 8 Sweating Your Heating Bill? 4 Fast Tips That Will Save You Money Overall home heating and cooling is the biggest consumer of energy in the average home. Eliminating wasted energy consumption in these areas is imperative to making your home energy efficient. Take comfort in knowing that you don t have to feel a winter chill in your home to save money during peak seasons. When Old Man Winter comes knocking at your door, we want to be sure to send him on his way. 1. To begin the heating season, and if you re not comfortable tackling this task on your own, contact your certified and trained Paraco Gas Service Professional or trusted plumber to service your heating equipment. 2. Set your programmable thermostat to a temperature that is as low as is comfortable for you and your family. By having a programmable thermostat, you re able to keep temperatures lower while your home is empty, allowing enough warm-up time as your home regains activity. 3. Set a reminder to replace the filters on your furnace monthly. During this time, it s also a good rule of thumb to clean your warm-air registers, radiators and baseboard heaters. Always ensure that they are not blocked by furniture, home accents or flooring. Not only does this restrict your heating; it also can be a home hazard. 4. Finally, during the day, keep blinds and window treatments open on all windows that face south, which allows sunlight - and hence warmth - to enter your home during the day. As day transitions to night, make sure to close all blinds and window treatments to create a barrier from the chill of your windows.

10 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 9 Air Leaks: The Silent Thief What if you ve implemented the above tips into your home, yet you ve still not seen a reduction in your home heating costs? You may have an air leak in your home. Don t fret. Air leaks are rather common and often can be quickly corrected. Having an air leak in your home can be a monumental waste to your overall energy consumption, and unfortunately there are numerous access points where air leaks commonly occur in the home. You may not know that you have an air leak, but it can be easily detected. A good rule of thumb to check for an existing air leak is to hold a tissue near your access points to the outside, such as windows, fixtures or outlets, on a windy day. If you notice the tissue moving horizontally, you have successfully diagnosed an air leak. Fortunately, fixing an air leak can be relatively inexpensive. It s important to note that before putting in insulation to correct an air leak, the site in which a leak has been detected must be sealed. Installing insulation alone will not counteract an air leak. SEALING AND DETECTION OF AIR LEAKS Take the time to caulk, weather strip and seal all access points to the outside, including your windows and doors. Caulk and seal all sockets or areas where fixtures and access points come through the wall or ceiling, including your plumbing and duct work. Install foam gaskets directly behind your switch and outlet covers. Taking this step will add an extra layer of protection to prevent leaking. Take stock of your home and note any stains or dirty areas on your ceiling or walls that can be attributed to air leaks at your wall or ceiling joints. Also, inspect your carpet or flooring for similar signs at your wall or floor joints.any diagnosed areas should be caulked.

11 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 10 Replace single-pane windows with double-pane windows, which boast higher efficiency and provide further protection, thus reducing drafts. Storm windows are also a viable option and can account for reducing heat loss up to 50%. If window replacement is not in your budget, use a clear plastic sheet on your window and tape it around your window frame. For large gaps around windows and external access points, use foam sealant to lock out air flow. Swap your door bottoms and thresholds for models that have pliable sealing gaskets. Fireplaces are especially susceptible to metal warping or breaking due to intermittent heating and cooling. Ensure that your fireplace flue damper is closed while not in use. For leaks surrounding sensitive areas, such as your chimney or furnace, be certain to use flame-resistant materials to shield out air leaks, such as firerated sheetrock or furnace cement caulk. AIR LEAKS AND INSULATION Take time to check your insulation for spots that appear to be discolored, dirty and potentially harboring mold. If a problem area is diagnosed, spray the area with a low-expansion spray to halt and prevent further air leaks. Consider R-value insulation on exterior walls to maximize your insulation while minimizing the thickness. It s recommended to use spray foam insulation. If you feel cold winter drafts in your home or find your home unusually hot in the summertime, you may need to bulk up on the insulation to the exterior walls of your home. Overall, air leaks can be tricky and can pop up almost anywhere in your home. It s never a bad idea to have a professional inspect your home to ensure that it is not being compromised by a pesky air leak.

12 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 11 Reduce Your Hot Water Bill Of all the energy expenses of an average home, water heating is the second most expensive source and can account for as much as 20% of your overall energy consumption. To lower your water heating bill without making a major compromise, consider implementing these four easy tips: 1. Use Less Hot Water This may be an obvious answer, but it doesn t mean that you need to settle for cold showers. Be mindful of running faucets and the need for hot water usage. Make an effort to run full loads of dishes in your dishwasher and full loads of clothes in wash cycles. To take it a step further, install low-flow showerheads and faucets throughout your home. 2. Insulate Your Water Heater Insulating your water heater will keep the core temperature consistent for an extended period of time without having the unit run continuously. It s also suggested to insulate the first few feet of the cold and hot water pipes that connect directly to your hot water heater. Please take caution by not insulating over your thermostat. If you are unfamiliar with your propane water heater, we suggest consulting a Paraco Gas Professional. 3. Turn Down Your Thermostat Reset your water heater temperature to 120 degrees, which is a small tweak that your family may not even notice. 4. Upgrade to a More Efficient Model When it s time to replace your existing water heater or appliances, seek to purchase an ENERGY STAR qualified model, which helps to reduce overall water heating costs, or contact Paraco Gas to learn about an environmentally friendly, cost-effective Tankless Hot Water Heater. While exploring the efficiency of your water heater, we encourage you to reduce your overall water consumption.

13 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 12 Work from Home? Home Office Energy-Saving Tips Whether you have a side business, you work from home or you take work home with you at the end of the day, you probably have a dedicated work space in your home. While working from home can cut the costs of a daily commute, it can also take a bite out of your energy efficiency. By now, you ve seen that we strongly suggest upgrading to ENERGY STAR appliances and electronics in your home to help reduce your energy consumption. Specifically for computers, being mindful of purchasing qualified items can increase your energy efficiency by up to a surprising 90%. Here are five tips to control your energy costs while you work in the comfort of your own home: 1. It s obvious, but turn off or shut down your electronics when you re finished using them. A good rule of thumb is to turn your devices off if you ll be away for more than two hours. It is a misconception that constantly running your computer will extend its functional life. 2. Allow your computer to run on low-power mode for as much time as possible. Taking this step allows your computer to run more efficiently and also can extend its life. 3. Instead of plugging your computer into the wall outlet, opt to plug it into a power strip. This serves a dual purpose: One, it adds a barrier of protection to your electronics in case of a sudden power surge, and two, the power strip evens out the energy consumption of your computer. Plugging your computer into a wall, whether it s running or not, continuously uses energy. 4. Examine the energy efficiency settings on your computer and/or monitor. Opt for settings that are most efficient and still provide you optimal use. 5. Speaking of monitors, another myth we d like to clarify is that monitor screen savers reduce energy consumption. This is not true. To conserve energy, switch off your monitor when you step away from your computer for an extended period of time or opt to set your monitor on sleep mode after a set period of time.

14 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 13 Tips for the Long Haul How to Conserve Energy for the Life of Your Home Most of what we ve discussed addresses the immediate changes that can be made to make your home more energy efficient and save you money. Let s switch gears and cover long-term tips that you can apply to your home to make a difference in your quest for energy efficiency. Several of these tips include an upfront investment and should be considered when you invest in a major purchase for your home. When considering your next new or used car purchase, select a vehicle that is on par with your current needs. If the majority of your driving consists of light use, your best option may be a hybrid, which offers substantially better gas mileage. If your day-to-day needs require heavy-duty capacity, consider a hybrid SUV or clean propane gas truck. Going this route, you ll notice a quieter-running vehicle and you ll enjoy up to 35% better fuel efficiency. As your home makes way for new technology, opt for a laptop computer, which requires less energy, rather than a desktop computer. Make an effort to exclusively purchase ENERGY STAR appliances when upgrading. To be a true ENERGY STAR qualified appliance, which saves resources such as energy and water, it must surpass the minimum set federal standards. Purchase an energy-efficient water heater to lower annual water heating costs in your home. Please note that even though the initial cost of an energyefficient water heater may be more substantial than the alternative, you ll enjoy increased energy savings in the long run to justify the investment. When your air conditioning unit or furnace needs to be replaced, seek an energy-efficient model that includes the ENERGY STAR label. Simply by making the switch to an ENERGY STAR qualified air conditioning unit, you could save up to 15% on your energy consumption over a standard model. Add additional insulation to your attic. This will provide your home with a more consistent base temperature year-round. Thank you for engaging with Paraco Gas! We hope that we ve offered you valuable information that will lead to significant energy savings in your home. Please visit for more cost-saving tips and to learn more about the many ways that we serve our clients propane and energy needs.

15 HOMEOWNER S GUIDE to Lowering Your Energy Bill 14 References We used the following websites and resources to prepare this guide: Energy.gov (Energy Savers Guide) UsePropane.com BuildWithPropane.com At Paraco, we want to make things as easy as possible. Log on to and sign up on My Account. Order deliveries, make a payment, review your balance all online. Now that you are a new Paraco customer, all you will need to sign up are your Paraco account number and your telephone number. It s that easy! Go online today and sign up!» Review Service Work History» Learn About or Purchase a Peace of Mind Maintenance Agreement» Place an Order» Make a Payment» Review Your Balance

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