Getting you energy costs down

[centsgirl]

Whether it is summer or winter, energy moves through the walls, roof and the cracks of your home. Either cool air conditioned air is lost to the outside during the summer or cold winter air is finding its way into your home during the winter months.

Five areas that we lose energy are as follows:

1.Ceilings

2.Walls 12%-14%

3.Floors 15%-18%

4.Windows and Doors 18-20%

5.Infiltration (air leakage) 35%

To help you save money on your energy costs you need to stop losing all your energy this way.

Some tips are

1.Reduce your air leaks around plumbing vents, your wall electrical outlets and switches, recessed lights exposed to the attic, attic stairs, vertical plumbing stacks open in the basement and other culprits all allow heated air to be drawn from your home and escape out the roof or other openings.

2. Leaks around windows and doors, focus on investing on insulation.

3,insulating the attic.

[moneysense]

Another thing, in the spring and fall, when the weather is nice and warm but not hot, dont use your air conditioning. Just open your windows and use your ceiling fans.

Not using the airconditioner during these months can save you $25 or more on your electric bill each month and thats a savings we all can use.

This summer would be a good time to go around and plug up all the leaks instead of waiting until cold weather to do it.