Save More by Knowing the Energy Facts
MYTH: Raising your thermostat when no one is home doesn't save money because your system has to work hard when you get home to cool the house.
FACT: Depending on the climate where you live and the efficiency of your home, including levels of insulation, you should be able to raise your thermostat several degrees for eight hours a day. That will reduce the number of times your cooling system needs to cycle on during the day-and that saves significant energy. It's true that when you come home and turn down your thermostat, your system will run for a longer period of time to get your home to its optimal temperature. But you'll still have saved more energy (and money) over the eight hours your system worked less intensely.
RECOMMENDATION: Install a programmable thermostat that will remember to turn the thermostat up and down based on your schedule, so you never have to remember. This can save you about $100 each year.
MYTH: Tightening up ductwork doesn't save energy because the ducts are located inside the house; any air that leaks out will leak into the house anyway.
FACT: In homes that have a forced air system, sealing leaky ducts will put the conditioned air where you want it, making you feel more comfortable quickly when the system kicks in. Sealing ductwork also will balance the system so it operates more efficiently and safely. Fixing ductwork problems pays multiple dividends.
RECOMMENDATION: When sealing ductwork in places that are accessible, using mastic (a gooey gray substance that is put on ductwork joints with a paintbrush) rather than duct tape is your best bet. Duct tape often starts to come off within a year, while mastic will do the job for several years.
Turn Out the Lights Without Making a Move
Tired of reminding the kids to turn the lights out? Install motionactivated light switches, and you'll never have to tell them again.
Using a tiny motion sensor, the switches detect when someone enters a room and they turn the lights on. When motion stops, they switch the lights off.
The switches are easy to install on your own by removing your existing switch and faceplate and disconnecting the wires. Reconnect the wires to the motion-activated switch, screw it back into the wall and reattach the faceplate.
Of course, you should shut the electricity off at the breaker before installing the switch. These switches cost as little as $20, depending on their features and how far away they detect motion. For rooms that you use most often during the day, install a motion-sensor switch that also detects daylight. It will switch the light on only when there is motion and the room is too dark.
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Coleman County Electric Cooperative is returning $500,000 to its members in the form of capital credits. CCEC is a nonprofit memberowned electric cooperative. When margins are realized above operating and maintenance expenses, the margins can be returned to the owners. Thanks to CCEC's status as a member of Golden Spread Electric Cooperative (CCEC's wholesale power supplier) and the return of capital credits from GSEC, your cooperative can also pass these margins back to the member- owners, unlike investor-owned utilities that send the profits to stockholders. This is truly a reflection of the cooperative business model. Coleman County Electric Cooperative members have benefited from very competitive rates over the past several years and now will see a refund of margins. The capital credits will be returned as a credit on active members' accounts on their June billing. The years of capital credit returns are part of 1966 and part of 2008. Members who received service during these years will see a credit on their account or receive a check if they are no longer receiving electric service from CCEC. Over the past two years, Coleman County EC has returned $800,000 in capital credits to its members