Tuesday, February 23, 2016

A: Begin by focusing on those small cracks and crevices around doors and windows.  According to Lowe’s, a 1/8” space between a standard exterior door and its threshold is equivalent to a two square inch hole in the wall.  Close those gaps to save up to 15 percent in heating and cooling costs and also reduce the demand on your heating and cooling system.  Other energy efficient steps:  lower your water heater’s thermostat setting; blanket or insulate the water heater to reduce the amount of heat lost by the unit, particularly if it is located in an unheated area; insulate water pipes, at least the hot water pipes to prevent heat lost that can cause your water heater to work harder; change furnace filters to prevent reduced airflow through the heating/cooling system and overheating that can lead to premature compressor damage in the A/C systems; and install water-saving shower heads.

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