Summer Savings and Safety

Weatherization and routine check-ups for your home cooling systems can be a small price to pay now to avoid skyrocketing electrical bills later on. All of the following tips come from the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Saver Program.

Weatherization

Weatherizing your home helps you save money by saving energy, and it can also improve the comfort of your home.

East Central Members can have a free home energy audit done to start building your strategy for weatherizing your home, then learn about air sealing, insulation, moisture control, and ventilation. Also be sure to check dampers on chimneys, inspect floor vents, and seal attic doors.

If you want to speak to a Member Service Representative about East Central's Home Energy Audits and Weatherization Rebates, call us at 918-756-0833.

If you're more into the Do-It-Yourself style of home maintenance, the U.S. Department of Energy has helpful DIY Weatherization Guides on a variety of topics, including:

• Caulking air leaks
• Weatherstripping windows
• Installing exterior storm windows

Note: Weatherization rebates are only available to those members who take advantage of East Central's free home energy audit.

Home Cooling Systems

Cooling your home often accounts for a larger portion of your energy bill each year than running your household appliances -- typically making up about 13% of your annual utility bill.

No matter what kind of cooling system you have in your house, you can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment. But remember, an energy-efficient air-conditioner alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using the whole-house approach. By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with recommended insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can have significant savings on your electric bill.

Cooling Tips

• Set your programmable thermostat as high as is comfortable in the summer, and raise the setpoint when you're sleeping or away from home. A one degree reduction in cooling setpoint can increase energy use by 3-5%.
• Clean or replace filters on air conditioners once a month or as recommended.
• Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models.
• During summer, keep the window coverings closed during the day to block the sun's heat.
• During the summer, run ceiling paddle fans on medium, blowing down. Be sure to turn fans off when leaving the room. Fans cool people, not rooms. 

Select energy-efficient products when you buy new cooling equipment. Your contractor should be able to give you energy fact sheets for different types, models, and designs to help you compare energy usage. See the efficiency standards for information on minimum ratings, and look for the ENERGY STAR when purchasing new products.