Our need for affordable energy is growing faster than ever. In the last 25 years, our energy needs have grown by the equivalent of 5 billion barrels a day in oil and there is no sign that our desire for energy is going down.
Recently we have seen the highest home heating costs ever, the highest diesel costs ever, the highest gasoline costs ever, and the highest natural gas costs ever. The poor and middle class of this country are struggling to heat their homes and put gas in their cars.
My colleagues and I have made great strides in comprehensive energy reform during this session of Congress and I will continue to address those issues throughout my service to you. With this in mind, I wanted to also pass along the following energy saving tips:
• Set your programmable thermostat to save energy while you are away or asleep. Using it properly can save up to $180 per year in energy costs.
• Run ceiling fans in a clockwise direction to create a wind-chill effect that will make you “feel” cooler. Remember that ceiling fans cool people, not rooms -- so turn them off when you leave the room.
• Inspect your duct system for obvious signs of leaks and disconnections (most houses leak 20 percent or more). Seal any leaks with foil tape or a special sealant called “duct mastic.” Also, consider insulating ducts in unconditioned areas (like the attic, basement or crawlspace).
• Seal air leaks around your home to keep the heat out and the cool air in. The biggest air leaks are usually found in the attic or basement, but also come in around doors, windows, vents, pipes and electrical outlets. Use caulk, spray foam or weather stripping to seal the leaks. And add more insulation to keep your home cooler this summer.
• Maintain your cooling system. Check your system’s air filter every month at a minimum and change the filter every three months. Remove leaves, dirt and other debris from around the outdoor components to improve air flow and efficiency. Have a qualified professional tune-up your system with a pre-season maintenance checkup and, if it’s time to replace your old system, look for models that have earned EPA’s Energy Star.
• Turn off office lights and equipment when not in use so they don’t generate unnecessary heat.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs in your desk lamp with Energy Star qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs which use two-thirds less energy and generate less heat than conventional bulbs.
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