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Walton
EMC Offers Easy Tips to Beat Winter Energy Bills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2005
Contact Greg Brooks,
770/266-2307, or Katie Woodall,
770/266-2572
MONROE,
Ga. – All homeowners should prepare to spend more to keep
warm this winter, some more than others.
“The Energy Information Administration forecasts the average
electric customer will spend about five percent more for heating
than they did last year, translating to about $38,” said Gary
Bunce, Walton EMC vice president of customer and energy services.
“The real shock will come for those who heat with fossil fuels,
like natural gas and liquefied propane gas (LPG).”
The Administration goes on to forecast households using natural
gas will spend 48 percent more ($350) for heating this winter and
those using LPG will spend 30 percent more ($325).
“The weather could have quite an impact on the final figures,”
said Bunce. “For our region, chances are equal that it could
be colder or warmer than normal. Whatever it does will have a direct
bearing on energy bills.”
Bunce says the size and efficiency of heating equipment, condition
of the home’s insulation and weatherization and living habits
of the occupants also have great influence on energy bills.
Walton EMC offers these easy tips to help reduce winter energy bills:
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Turn the thermostat down. Each degree lower saves three to five
percent in heating costs.
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Install a programmable thermostat to automatically drop the temperature
while you’re at work or sleeping.
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Lower the thermostat at night and keep warm with an electric blanket.
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Put on extra clothes. A light sweater worn indoors makes you feel
warmer.
-
Run ceiling fans in reverse on low speed. This pushes warm air
at the ceiling down to living spaces. Turn the fan off when you
leave the room.
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Regularly change the heating system’s filter.
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Make sure heating vents are not covered by rugs or furniture.
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Check to see if the fireplace damper is closed.
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Use a well-insulated cover on spas and hot tubs.
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Insulate hot water pipes with easy-to-install pre-formed pipe
insulation.
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Fix hot water leaks and dripping faucets.
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Wrap the water heater with an insulating jacket.
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Add attic and floor insulation.
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Re-caulk cracks around windows and doors.
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Replace torn or missing weatherstripping around windows and doors.
-
Replace broken or missing window locks. Window locks pull sashes
together to keep out cold air.
For more information on saving energy, click on “Energy Library”
at waltonemc.com.
Walton EMC is a customer-owned power company that serves 110,000
accounts over its ten-county service area between Atlanta and Athens.
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