The timing of the press release turned out to be prescient. Entitled "Lowe's has 10 simple, energy-saving tips and projects that will save you money," it arrived in my mailbox during the January thaw. You may remember it. It teased us with day after day of balmy air. Birds twittered. Snow melted. It was spring.
The PR firm that issued the release, however, insisted that winter was planning a comeback. As I sit here, winter-pale and shivering again, I have to accede to its wisdom. If I hadn't been busy denying winter, I would have shared those tips sooner. Still, better late than never.
Herein are 11 — not 10 (I've paraphrased and expanded on a few points) — sensible ways to save money, reduce energy consumption, and maybe even put a twist in Jack Frost's knickers:
1. Check exterior doors for gaps. If you find a gap, adjust the door threshold and/or door sweep. A one-eighth-inch gap along the bottom of an exterior door is equivalent to a four-inch hole in an exterior wall. Most door thresholds are adjustable, so ensure yours has a tight fit. If it isn't adjustable, consider replacing it with one that is.
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2. Install electrical outlet sealers. The open areas between wall studs and behind the finished faces of electrical outlets are often missed when a home is insulated. Reduce drafts from behind outlets by adding foam sealers designed for this purpose. At about $3 a package, it's an inexpensive and easily managed fix.
3. Seal leaky ductwork. More than 20 per cent of a home's heated or cooled air can escape through leaky ducts. To seal ductwork, assuming its accessible, use a silicone sealant around gaps in curved seams. Seal straight seams with aluminum tape, not duct tape. Although people have written books about the many wonderful and inventive uses for duct tape, it is, oddly, not recommended for this use because it can break down.
4. Put in a programmable thermostat. It has been proven that a programmable thermostat, when set to lower the temperature by three degrees at night and by five degrees during the day, can save you up to $150 a year. That's the return on investment for a one-time outlay of about half that amount. Take 30 seconds to program it once and sit back while the savings roll in.
5. Keep the fireplace chimney damper tightly closed. Another fix that takes mere seconds, this simple step will keep warm air inside during the winter and cool air inside during the summer.
6. Turn down the water heater. Heating water beyond 48.8 degrees can be unsafe (it can scald those with tender skin) and wasteful. Lowering the temperature of your water heater is usually as simple as turning a dial, but if your unit doesn't have temperature markings, check the water with a cooking thermometer and gradually adjust the heat by trial and error to a level that works for your family.
7. Install dimmer switches. Costing under $20 each, these switches can lower your energy costs and prolong light-bulb life. They also give you added flexibility in controlling lighting levels, allowing you to get a room's "mood" just right. However, if you're already using the energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs, and bravo if you are, dimmer switches get a tad more complicated. The General Electric website (www.gelighting.com) explains it this way: "To use a compact fluorescent bulb on a dimmer switch, you must buy a bulb that's specifically made to work with dimmers." GE doesn't "recommend using regular compact fluorescent bulbs with dimming switches since this can shorten bulb life. Using a regular compact fluorescent bulb with a dimmer will also nullify the bulb's warranty."
8. Install motion detector lights outside your home so that lights don't burn all night. Some models are available for around $30. You can also convert an exterior light fixture with a screw-in adapter or install a motion sensor that is independent of light fixtures.
9. Clean the refrigerator coils. Located behind or beneath your fridge, these coils should be cleaned at least twice a year. Clean coils help the compressor work faster and run less often, saving electricity and enhancing the appliance's lifespan.
10. Check the furnace and kitchen range air filters monthly, and change them when they get dirty. A dirty filter will slow down airflow and make appliances work harder.
11. When presented with a choice, choose Energy Star products. An Energy Star logo on an appliance, heating and cooling system, light fixture or building material assures you that the product uses less energy, saves money and helps protect the environment better than standard ones.
To reap the rewards of these energy saving projects all you need is a screwdriver and a bit of time. What else have you got to do when it's 20 below?
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