• Install a programmable or automatic thermostat and keep your thermostat on your air conditioning unit set at 78 degrees or higher.
• Keep the filters of your air conditioning unit clean. Change the fiberglass ones and wash the aluminum mesh ones monthly.
• If you own an old cooling unit, consider replacing it with an energy-efficient unit. When buying a new cooling unit, buy the highest SEER rating you can afford. SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) is a federal government standard. Trying to save money on the front end will cost you more each month when running the unit.
• Keep any appliance that produces heat away from your air conditioner thermostat. The heat they produce can cause your air conditioner to run longer than needed.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, they produce less heat while using a fraction of the electricity.

For every degree below 72 at which you can set your thermostat, you will save 3-5 percent off your heating bill.

It’s a fact. Your heating system in the winter is the biggest energy user in your home. To keep your energy costs down this winter, your best bet is to keep your thermostat at the lowest possible setting you and your family find comfortable and to put on a sweater or another layer of clothing if you get chilly. Many energy-conscious families will even lower their thermostats a few degrees cooler at night.

• To get the best use out of your heating unit, you can take a few more steps…
• Have a professional check out your unit at the beginning of the winter season to make sure it is working correctly.
• Change your furnace filters monthly.
• Walk around your home to check for places around your windows and doors where cold air can enter your home and warm air can escape. Caulk and weatherstrip where necessary.
• Insulate, insulate…your attic, outside walls, between floors, around heating ducts, and any pipes exposed to outside air.

Your water heater is the second highest energy user in your home. Set your thermostat on your water heater as low as possible. A setting between 120 to 130 degrees should be sufficient for most families’ needs.

Be a leak seeker. A dripping faucet or leaking toilet wastes water and adds dollars to your water and wastewater bill. And, if your leak is in a hot water faucet, you’re also adding to your water heater bill. Even a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day…that’s 450 to 600 gallons a month!

Your fireplace may be warm and cozy, but it can add to your energy bill when you use it in cold weather. To prevent heat from escaping up your chimney, keep your damper closed in cold weather and enjoy your fireplace in milder weather.

Energy efficiency ratings
The next time you are in the market for a new heating or cooling system or a major appliance, such as a dishwasher or clothes dryer, check out the energy efficiency rating. Then try to buy the appliance with the highest energy efficiency rating that you can afford. The unit or appliance may cost more on the front end, but you will save money over the life of the appliance on your energy bill.

The Jackson Energy Authority wants to help you use your energy wisely. Find out if your home is an energy hog by going through our on-line checklist. Or, you can schedule an appointment for us to come to your home if you think you have a problem. Call 422-7500.