Keeping warm and cutting costs

Using draft stoppers inside doors and windows can help keep the heat in and the cold out.

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By BECCA OWSLEY bowsley@thenewsenterprise.com Winter is just around the corner and with the rising cost of home heating this year, it is essential to winterize your home to save energy. Local electric companies have some advice to keep you warm and your heating bills low this winter. Nolin RECC's Energy Management Coordinator Todd Drake recommends putting plastic over single pane windows and making sure the attic is insulated. He also suggests making sure vents in the crawl space are closed and that the furnace is well maintained. The minimum a furnace should be serviced is every two years, but Drake recommends that it be done yearly. Drake also recommends changing disposable furnace filters every 30 days and keeping the thermostat around 68 to 72 degrees during the winter. Nolin offers a free energy audit to any Nolin RECC customer to give energy-saving suggestions that are tailored to the individual home. The cooperative also offers brochures and other information to help homeowners save on energy costs. Kentucky Utilities suggests turning the thermostat down to 62 to 65 degrees at night or when away from the house for long periods during the day. For every degree it is turned down, there can be a 3 to 5 percent savings can be found on the monthly bill. The site also suggests checking the caulking and weatherstripping around doors and windows to keep cold air out and warm air in. Other suggestions are

• Use draft stopper at doors and windows and keep extra blankets on the bed.
• Close the dampers and doors on a fireplace when it is not being used, unless you have a gas fireplace.
• Open the drapes and blinds on sunny days to allow the sun to naturally heat the home. At night keep them shut to retain the heat.
• Turn down the water heater to a low or medium setting, and if the water heater was purchased before 1990 add a water heater jacket.

Following these few simple steps should help save energy and money.

Becca Owsley can be reached at (270) 505-1741.