Act Up
Be Energy-Wise
As cooler weather approaches, how can you save energy and help reduce gases that contribute to global warming and other environmental problems? Use these four tips from Earth Share, a nationwide network of America’s leading nonprofit environmental and conservation organizations.
1. Inspect your heater. Have a professional inspect and clean your furnace and ducts. Replace old filters on forced-air furnaces.
2. Buy a programmable thermostat. If you turn your thermostat back by 10 percent to 15 percent for eight hours every day or night, you can save as much as 10 percent a year on your heating bill.
3. Check your insulation. You can reduce heating and cooling needs up to 30 percent simply by investing in insulation and like-minded products.
4. Treat your windows right. Prevent heat loss by closing your curtains and shades at night; open them during the day to benefit from free solar heat. Also, keep windows on the south side of your house clean to maximize the amount of sunlight coming in.
Source: Earth Share (www.earthshare.org).
