Energy Tips
Easy Energy Tips To Save Money With Your Propane Service
Using propane for your home or business is safer, more economical, better for the environment and more efficient than other sources of energy. Here are some energy tips on making it even more economical and efficient:
Air leaks are among the greatest sources of energy loss in a home.
One of the quickest energy- and money-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal, and weatherstrip all seams, cracks, and openings to the outside. By sealing uncontrolled air leaks, you can save 10%–20% on your heating and cooling bills.
After you complete air sealing, consider whether you need to add insulation. Insulation is essential for reducing heat flow through a home’s building envelope (the parts of the home that separate the interior from the outside elements, including the walls, roof, and foundation).
Being smart about how you control your temperature settings will help you save money and stay comfortable in your home. You can save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat down 7°–10°F for 8 hours a day in the fall and winter; turn it up in the spring and summer
Air ducts are one of the most important systems in your home, as they carry the air from your home’s furnace and central air conditioner to each room. If the ducts are poorly sized, poorly sealed, or poorly insulated, they are likely contributing to higher energy bills.
- Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as recommended.
- Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
- Eliminate trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; contact a professional if you’re unsure how to perform this task.
- Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
- Open draperies and shades on your south-facing windows during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home. Close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
You have the power to save money and energy in your own home even beyond the energy efficiency you get from propane!
- Check for and repair/replace loose panes and broken glass.
- Caulk around windows and doors frames.
Weather strip and install door sweeps on exterior doors. - Seal windows with weather stripping or rope caulk.
- Install foam weather stripping around attic door edges.
- If you have a chimney, seal around it with a high temp sealant and metal flashing.
- Caulk around plumbing vents that pass through that attic floor and ceiling.
- Seal gaps between the attic and living spaces with expandable foam or insulation.
- Seal gaps between the attic and living spaces with expandable foam or insulation.
- Seal and insulate accessible ductwork.
- Caulk around basement windows and external-facing doors.
- Seal holes and gaps around foundation walls using caulk or foam sealant.
- Install foam gaskets behind electrical plate covers on exterior walls.
- Seal cracks and gaps where floors meet exterior walls.
- If you have a wood-burning fireplace, close the damper when it’s not in use.
- Use caulk and expandable foam to seal gaps around penetrations through the home’s exterior shell, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical and water lines.
- Caulk around all door and window frames.
- Make sure your dryer vent cover works; if not, replace it.
- Seal gaps where building materials meet, such as between brick and siding.
Weatherizing your home helps you save money by saving energy, and it can also improve the comfort of your home. Home weatherization includes sealing air leaks and adding insulation.
If your hot water tank is warm to the touch, consider insulating it to save 7%–16% annually in water heating costs. Follow manufacturer recommendations.
Consider insulating your hot water pipes. Doing so can reduce heat loss, allow you lower the temperature setting, and save an additional 3%–4% per year on water heating.
Set your water heater temperature to 120ºF, a temperature considered safe for most of the population.
Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater to prevent heat loss. Most new water heaters have built-in heat traps.
- Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. Follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Consider installing a drain-water waste heat recovery system. - Drain-water, or greywater, heat recovery systems capture the energy from waste hot water— such as showers and dishwashers—to preheat cold water entering the water heater or going to other water fixtures. Energy savings vary depending on individual household usage.
- Consider installing a residential circulation pump to save water. Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads.
- If you find yourself waiting for the water in your shower to get hot, consider installing a showerhead that has a temperature-sensitive switch that turns off the water when hot. When you step into the shower, you flick a switch on the showerhead that restarts the hot water flow.
- Repair leaky faucets promptly. A leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time.
Water heating is the second largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 13% of your energy usage.
Lower water heating costs by turning down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120 degrees F). The default setting for most manufacturers is 140 degrees, but unless you’re soaking dishes in boiling water, there isn’t much difference in turning it down to 120 degrees. this will save your energy.
During winter months, you can still save energy, money and stay comfortable during the cool fall and cold winter months. See the simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the winter.
Download the full energy tips guide at energy.gov