Thursday, November 02, 2006

Get your home ready for winter!

With tonight's temperatures expected to fall into the teens in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, it's time to think about how we can keep our homes warmer this season!

These four steps will help keep the H.E.A.T. inside this winter: (From energystar.gov)

Home sealing. An important step you can take to reduce home energy costs year-round is to seal air leaks and add insulation — paying special attention to your attic and basement, where the biggest gaps and cracks are often found. This will keep warm air inside where it belongs and help your equipment perform more efficiently.

Equipment maintenance. Dirt and neglect are the top two causes of system failure. Get a checkup of your heating system to make sure it's performing efficiently and safely. Clean or replace your system's air filter to help lower energy bills and maintain better indoor air quality.

Ask for ENERGY STAR. Look for the ENERGY STAR when purchasing products such as light fixtures, heating and cooling equipment, windows and more. They are the most energy-efficient products and will not only save money on energy bills, but also help protect our environment.

Thermostat use. Install a programmable thermostat to save energy all day, whether you're home or away. When properly used, a programmable thermostat can save as much as $150 a year in energy costs.

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