Sept. 26, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 434

For more information contact Kevin Yingling, Delaware Energy Office, 302-735-3480, or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

                                 Take Actions to Conserve During Energy Awareness Month

DOVER, Del. – October is Energy Awareness Month – the perfect time to get your home ready for the upcoming heating season and make changes that will reduce energy use.

“There are several things people can do around the house now that will conserve energy and reduce energy costs before cold weather arrives,” said Kevin Yingling with DNREC’s Delaware Energy Office. “During October we encourage Delawareans to take actions to be more energy efficient.”

The Delaware Energy Office recommends five actions that can have significant impacts for home energy savings – sealing and insulating; changing lights; heating efficiently; powering down home electronics; and replacing old or inefficient appliances with energy-efficiency ones.

Here are five important tips to reduce energy use and save money:

·         Home sealing and insulating – Almost half of a home’s energy costs can be attributed to heating and cooling. Seal holes and cracks, weather-strip doors and windows, and insulate pipes to stop heat from escaping from your home.

·         Change a light – Approximately 20 percent of home electricity bills is lighting costs. If every home in America changed one incandescent light to a compact fluorescent one, collectively we could save enough energy to light 7 million homes and reduce greenhouse gases equivalent to the amount produced by one million cars.

·         Heat your home efficiently – Replace the furnace air filter and be certain air ducts are open and delivering all the warm air they can. Have your heater serviced to make sure it works properly. Install a programmable thermostat and turn back the temperature at night or when away from home. Every degree has the potential to reduce heating costs by as much as five percent.

·         Power down computers and electronic equipment when not in use – Computers and other electronics increase a home’s energy load and often use energy even when switched off. Unplug power adapters and chargers and activate your computer’s power down feature.

·         Replace old appliances with energy-efficiency products – Home appliances, including dishwashers, refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines, are some of the more than 40 different kinds of products that can carry the Energy Star label. Save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by replacing old and inefficient appliances with ones that save energy.  

Energy Awareness Month was first proclaimed by President George H. Bush in 1991 to promote the wise and efficient use of energy by the federal government. The energy awareness campaign has grown to include outreach and education to the public through hundreds of state and private partners.

The Delaware Energy Office web site, www.energy.dnrec.delaware.gov includes more information on saving energy in the home, energy programs available to consumers, business and industry, and links to partners and web sites with more energy answers.