Earth Day and Energy-Efficiency Tips

Don’t forget to check out the event map to attend an Earth
Day event or volunteer at such an event. The Environmental Protection Agency
has a list and more on the agency’s Earth Day website.

These energy-saving tips come from Sally Morse, director of creative
services for Hunter Douglas, a leader in custom window fashions, and are
designed to help conserve your home’s resources and your pocketbook as well.

1. Go Green, Literally

Saving energy in your home isn’t entirely based on adjustments
made in the home but also changing what is outside of it. To cut down on
utility bills, get a green thumb and strategically update your landscaping. A
natural and beautiful addition, plant deciduous trees on the south and east
sides of the house and evergreen trees and shrubs on the north and west to
provide shade and act as a windbreaker. Well-positioned landscaping can save up
to 25 percent of your home’s energy a typical household uses for heating and
cooling according to the world-renowned Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory.

2. Insulate Common Energy-Loss Areas

The fastest and most cost-effective way to reduce energy
dollars is to seal air leaks. Find these energy vacuums by holding a lit
incense stick on a breezy day near doors, fixtures and windows. If the smoke
travels toward the areas rather than vertically, you’ve found a leak. Once
identified, simply seal holes by using caulk, spray foam or weather strips.
Common leaks are attic entrances, dropped ceilings, recessed lights, water and
furnace flues, ducts, door frames, chimneys, outlets and switches and plumbing
and utility fixtures. Also, be sure to remove air-conditioning units in the
fall and winter or use an insulated jacket on the exterior as these appliances
invite drafts. 

3. Watch the Windows

Windows can account for up to 25 percent of utility bills by
leaking heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. For a functional and
fashionable addition to the home to help prevent this, opt for energy efficient
shades. Certain shades can reduce solar heat gain through windows by up to 80
percent in the summer and reduce heat loss through windows by up to 40 percent
in winter.

4. All-Star Accessories and Appliances

When purchasing items that consume energy – everything from
light bulbs to appliances – look for the ENERGY STAR® label. This label ensures
you are purchasing an item that will help save you money and help protect the
environment.

5. Clean and Green

Being clean can go a long way when it comes to your home’s
energy efficiency. By simply keeping certain appliances in the best working
condition you can save on energy costs. Start by servicing and cleaning your
gas or oil furnace at least once a year and change or clear out furnace filters
once a month during the heating season. Wipe or replace filters on air
conditioners monthly or as recommended and do the same with warm-air registers,
baseboard heaters and radiators as needed. Also, clean the lint screen in the
laundry dryer after every load to increase air circulation and help prevent
fire hazards.

6. Adjust When Away and By Time of Day

Cut down on utility bills while you’re away by investing in
a programmable thermostat that lets you set temperatures by time of day. To
adjust the window coverings for optimal performance, Hunter Douglas makes a
Solar Energy Sensor that mounts directly to the window pane to control
motorized window fashions. It’s an easy way to conserve energy without your having
to lift a finger. In “Summer” mode, the sensor will lower shades when the
outside temperature is too hot to prevent heat from coming into the room. In
“Winter” mode, the sensor raises the shades at the appropriate time to allow
solar energy into the room for warmth and closes the shades automatically when
the temperature outdoors drops, keeping the warm air inside.

Try these energy-efficiency tips to help save on utility
bills while making your home more comfortable.

Hunter Douglas Inc., headquartered in Pearl
River, New York, is a leading
manufacturer and marketer of custom window fashions in North
America and a major manufacturer of architectural products. The
company is a national sponsor of Habitat for Humanity, covering windows in
every Habitat home built in the United States
and Canada. 

For more information, call 800-274-2985 or visit the
website.