Saving energy is up to each of us

If we compared our lives to our parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents, one of the major differences would be our daily consumption of energy. Let’s face it, we consume a lot more electricity than previous generations. To prove it, walk around your home and count how many appliances are plugged in – including cell phones, multiple televisions, computers and devices that often charge up at night.

While we live at a time of energy abundance, we who work in the energy industry should be good role models for others. With the help of Otter Tail Power Company and the Edison Electric Institute, we have put together some reminders about how we can all do a better job at conserving energy.

Space heating

While there are many technologies to heat and cool our homes, we should also be aware of the structures of our homes. Older homes can often benefit from new windows, more insulation and sealed leaks around doors and other entrances. Not only can home improvements save us money, they can also make our homes feel more comfortable – especially when the wind is blowing.

Here are some other tips to consider:

  • Have your heating and cooling systems serviced every year. This will add to their efficiency and can keep them operating safely and reliably. Also remember to change filters as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • Adjust your thermostat as low as comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer. You will save 3 percent on the day’s heating or cooling costs by changing your thermostat by only one degree – higher for cooling and lower for heating – in a 24-hour period. Maintain those settings for a month and your utility bill will show the savings.
  • This seems elementary, but make sure your air returns and registers are not blocked. If you have baseboard heaters and radiators, don’t forget to clean them. Partially covering a register with a couch, a chair or a rug will make your furnace or air conditioning system work harder.
  • A little attention to your drapes, curtains and screens can also help your energy consumption. In the winter, keep your draperies and blinds open during the day to allow the sunshine to help warm your home. But remember to close the drapes at night to help prevent heat loss.
  • During the cooling season, keep your window coverings closed during the day to reduce the sun from heating your home.

Water heating

Another large energy user is the water heater, which can account for between 14 to 25 percent of your total home energy consumption. Like furnaces, several technologies can be employed in various homes and commercial buildings to heat water. Many residences use a tank water heater because it provides an abundant supply of hot water.

  • Once or twice a year, drain a bucket of water out of the bottom of your heater tank because it can be full of sediment. The sediment insulates the water in the tank from the heating element, which wastes energy.
  • If you have an older hot water tank, you might consider investing in an insulation kit for your water heat. Older tanks generally aren’t insulated very well so an extra layer of insulation will keep the heat from being lost through the walls.
  • Repair or replace leaky faucets. A faucet that leaks one drop per second wastes about 2,300 gallons of hot water per year.
  • Another tip is to set your water heater thermostat to 120 degree F. The lower setting requires 10 percent less energy than a typical 140 degree F. setting.

More information

If you are like most homeowners, you may have more than 25 different appliances plugged in at once. Everything from lamps to television sets. If you’d like more energy tips, here are some online resources for you to consider.

No matter our age, it’s important that we use energy wisely. As we age, we often have children or grandchildren who are watching us.