Winter Energy Tips
Summer Energy Tips

Zone Heat: In very cold weather, zone heating can help keep your bill low but should not be used on a consistant basis due to possible mold problems. Close the doors and vents to the rooms that you are not frequently using and heat only the most important rooms in the house. You can do this is you have gas heat or an electric furnace but do not try it with a heat pump or an air conditioner. It may cause damage to the compressor. Also, try not to zone off the area in which the thermostat is located.

Open and Close Your Curtains: Open your curtains on the south side of your house during the day. The sun sinks approximately 30 degrees to the south in the winter and will provide significant heating effect during the day. Close all the other curtains day and night to help stop heat loss.

Seal Your Windows: Check the outside edges of your windows for air gaps. If cracks exist, re-caulking is one of the most cost effective measures that you can take. Storm windows are very cost effective if applied over single pane glass, especially if a vinyl gasket is used. Clear plastic can be applied to the interior of your windows to seal against air infiltration for very little expense. New plastic window seals kits are now available in which a hair dryer is used to shrink the plastic until clear. Most building supply stores keep these kits in stock.

Seal Your Doors: The best way to seal a door is with weatherstripping and a threshold. A towel at the bottom of the door will suffice as a temporary measure.

Wrap Your Water Heater: Most electric water heaters cost substantially more than natural gas to operate. Jackets are available for the sides and top that will usually pay for themselves in only a few years. NOTE: Be careful when insulating the top of a gas water heater so as not to interfere with its ventilation. Also, some of the newest and high efficiency electric water heaters do not recommend jackets.

Wrap Your Hot Water Pipes: Foam tubes make for a very easy and effective insulation and can be purchased at most building supply stores.

Check Your Attic Insulation: The most important thing to do to keep heat inside the house is to insulate the attic. Make sure there is at least 6 inches of insulation in the attic or an R-value of 19. If additional insulation is needed, bring the level up to an R-value of 30. The depths of insulation materials will vary.

For additional energy saving tips, visit TVA's EnergyRight web page.

In the summertime, electric use is at its highest. For most customers, cooling costs are the largest portion of their bill. Here are a few energy tips that work to reduce energy costs.

Adjust Thermostat: For central systems, in extreme temperatures, a one degree decrease in the thermostat setting should produce a 5% cost savings.

Use Ceiling Fans: Ceiling or floor fans use very little energy and when used can make a room feel five degrees cooler.

Keep Curtains and Blinds Shut: This is especially important for east and west facing windows. Trees, awnings, window tinting and/or solar screens will stop direct sunlight before it enters your house and is therefore a very cost effective measure.

Keep the Doors Closed: Contrary to popular belief, storm doors are usually not very effective as a heat transfer barrier. Try to close the prime door whenever entering or exiting the house.

Change Air Filters: Clean or change air filters every month on a window unit or a central system. This practice is especially important during heavy usage months. Dirty filters can cause a strain on air conditioners, causing them to run longer.

Have Your Air Conditioner Checked: Air conditioners compress gas and then allow it to expand in order to produce cool air temperatures. If your unit is not properly charged with this gas your bill may skyrocket. To avoid this scenario, have your unit serviced at least every three years and listen during the summer to see how long it runs. If it does not cycle on and off frequently at night or in moderate temperatures, you could be in for a large utility bill. Also, have your duct work checked to make sure that portions have not become detached.

Insulate Attic Access Door: If your home has an attic, there will be an access door leading to it, but unfortunately, most of them are not insulated. This small opening allows 150 degree attic air to enter your home if not insulated.

Purchase Compact Fluorescent Bulbs: These bulbs will fit into existing light fixtures. Although more expensive to purchase, they are 75% more efficient and do not put off significant heat for the air conditioner to remove. They usually last about 7 times longer than regular incandescent bulbs.

For additional energy saving tips, visit TVA's EnergyRight web page.