Seasonal Tips

Spring and Summer Energy Saving Ideas:

• Suitable window coverings will improve the comfort level in your home immensely.
  
  
• Fans use less energy than air conditioners but should only be operated when the room is occupied.
  
  
• Keep the pilot light off on your gas fireplace during the summer months and when it is not being used regularly.
  
  
• The summer is an ideal time to arrange for furnace service since your wait for an appointment will be much shorter than trying for a fall or winter booking.
  
  
• Cook using your BBQ. Operating a natural gas BBQ costs over 50 percent less than propane.

Fall and Winter Energy Saving Ideas:

• Install and use a programmable thermostat.
  
  
• Check your furnace filter once a month and change or clean it when it is dirty or according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
  
  
• Inspect your home for the condition and amount of insulation.
  
  
• See that your attic access hatch is insulated and weather-stripped.
  
  
• Regular maintenance of your hot water heater is necessary. Partial draining, done periodically, will help remove sediment.
  
  
• Substantial savings will be realized if your heated garage is insulated and weather-stripped. Also, consider keeping the garage heater at a very low temperature setting.
  
  
• Replace regular incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent or halogen bulbs. They last much longer than incandescent bulbs and use substantially less energy to operate.