mercredi 26 novembre 2014

Conserving Energy: Tips For Pennsylvania Propane & Ohio Propane Users

By Cath Buhr


The less energy we use, the less we have to pay. Saving money is always a great idea, but lowering our energy usage also is good for everybody. For those who use propane as an energy source, you already have opted for one of the most efficient fuel sources available, but here are a few other ways to trim the energy costs.

Heating and cooling a home are perhaps the two most costly uses of energy in the typical American household. You can reduce your heating costs by making sure that you have plenty of insulation and that all of your air ducts, windows and doors are well sealed. Install a thermostat that allows to you regulate the temperature of the home based upon when you will be there. Keep the thermostat low when you are at work and while you are sleeping. You can program the thermostat to switch on 20 or so minutes before you arrive home or wake up to ensure that you are warm enough.

Along those same lines, your air conditioner will work more efficiently if your windows, doors and ducts are sealed. Energy efficient windows also can lower cooling costs, and even installing good shades can reduce the amount of sunlight in your home, which makes it easier for the air conditioner to do its job. Sometimes there are federal tax credits available for upgrading to a more efficient air conditioner or heater.

Your old appliances might be sucking up a lot of your energy dollar, so whenever possible, consider upgrading to a better, smarter appliance. Be sure to ask about tax credits whenever you switch out a fridge, dishwasher, washer, dryer or a water heater. Also, be sure to only wash dishes and run a load of laundry when you have a full load. Consider washing clothes in cold water as much as possible and turn off the heated dry option on your dishwasher to save a few more dollars each year.

Take a look around your home and you will see quite a few plugs stuck into sockets. Consider unplugging some of these, such as the microwave oven, as they use energy while just sitting there plugged in the wall. The TV and all of its accoutrements also use energy even when they are turned off, so invest in a power strip and flip the switch when you aren't using these electronics. Your computer is just the same, so turn it off and flip off the power strip switch when it's not being used, such as at night or when you are at work.

In addition to making sure your home is sealed up tight, you can reduce your Pennsylvania propane costs and Ohio propane costs by pre-buying when the propane prices are very low. Usually the price-per-gallon is lowest during the hottest months of the year, and Thrifty Propane customers can pre-purchase all the propane they might need when the costs are down. While it's an upfront cost, it truly can save hundreds of dollars over the course of the year.




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