Compiled by Able & Talented classes from Westerville City Schools and OEP Staff

Top 10 Energy Saving Tips Around The Home

Did you know that the typical American family spends approximately $1,500 a year on home utility bills? With energy costs rising, the average household utility expenses are increasing even more. Learn how you and your family can save money and conserve energy. While making a few minor changes around the household, you can reduce your energy costs by 10% to 50%, by becoming more energy efficient.

Heating & Cooling

The largest portion of a utility bill for a typical home is for heating and cooling. Roughly 44% of your utility bills go to heating and cooling. With natural gas prices nearing record highs this heating season, your family can make small changes that will add up to significant savings.

1. Install a programmable thermostat, which will automatically adjust the temperature according to your daily schedule.
   
2. Set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer. Set thermostats between 65 and 70 degrees during the winter, and lower when you are away from the home for a few hours. Keep in mind, warmer temperatures are recommended for infants, elderly and the sick in your home.
   
3. Clean or replace your furnace filters once a month during the heating season. It is important to maintain good airflow. Close vents and doors in unused rooms and close dampers on unused fireplaces.
   
4. Plug air leaks with caulking, sealing, or weather stripping, which can save 10% or more on energy costs. The top three places where air escapes in homes are: floors, walls and ceilings (31%); ducts (15%); and fireplaces (14%). Windows account for 10% and are sixth on the list.
   
5. Majority of homes are not insulated properly and only 20% of homes built prior to 1980 were well insulated. You can reduce your heating and cooling needs, while saving costs by up to 30% by investing just a few hundred dollars in proper insulation and weatherization products.

Appliances & Lighting

6. Appliances and lighting contribute to 33% of the energy consumption in a home, excluding the refrigerator. A refrigerator is a huge energy consumer and accounts for 9% alone. Turn off appliances that are not being used. Be in the habit of switching off the lights, computer, TV, radio, and other appliances when you leave a room.
7. Use the washing machine, dryer and dishwasher only when they are full. Set your refrigerator and freezer to energy conservation settings for cooling.
8. When purchasing new appliances, look for energy efficiency ratings labeled on the product. Appliances that have earned the Energy Star, offer superior energy efficiency. In 2004 alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved enough money to power 24 million homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 20 million cars, all while saving $10 billion (http://www.energystar.gov/)
9. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in place of comparable incandescent bulbs. CFLs use only 25% of the energy and last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs.

Water Heating

10. About 15% of an average home energy bill goes to heating water. Some ways to use less hot water can be achieved by washing clothes in warm or cold water, setting your water heater to warm (120 degrees F), taking quick showers instead of baths, and insulating your water heater.

(Percentages are based on national averages from the U.S. Department of Energy)

Visit the following sites to learn more tips and advices to help save on your energy bills this winter and all yearlong.

Cinergy
http://www.cinergycge.com/residential_services/savings/default_energy_saving_tips.asp

AEP Ohio
https://www.aepohio.com/CustomerService/HelpfulInformation/SavingEnergy/

Columbia Gas of Ohio
http://www.columbiagasohio.com/whatsNew/conservationTips.asp

U.S. Department of Energy
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/

Partnerships for Home Energy Efficiency
http://www.energysavers.gov/homeowners.html

Alliance To Save Energy
http://www.ase.org/

HOME WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
http://www.odod.state.oh.us/cdd/oee/res_hwap.htm

Getting your local school district, school, teachers and students involved.

1. Promote OEP and give us contact names or set up meetings with decision-makers
2. Sponsor programs or help us find sponsors
3. Help offset transportation and/or substitute costs of schools

Suggesting improvements to our educational materials, programs and activities

4. Identify information to help us update ours
5. Provide good, unbiased support materials in quantities that can be distributed
6. Print workshop materials for us
7. Supply educational equipment or supplies
8. Help develop "gee whiz techno" ways to present information "the OEP way"

Making "in-kind" contributions

9. Reduce operating expenses (utilities, supplies, printing/postage, insurance, services, rent)
10. Offset staff travel expenses (food, lodging, gasoline and vehicle expenses)
11. Arrange facilities for OEP use

Providing financial support

12. Sponsor a program or series of programs or materials directly
13. Help OEP make contact with corporations, organizations, foundations, government
14. Promote OEP to your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, for individual contributions
15. Sponsor a meal, transportation or lodging for participants of our summer programs. Become a sponsor today .

Volunteering

16. Monitor a station or help with preparation for a program
17. Help with setup, registration, tear down, picture taking, other logistics

Promoting OEP

18. Whenever and wherever you can
19. Forward names of interested people to us for follow-up
20. Arrange media coverage

The work we do at the Ohio Energy Project would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Please take a moment to visit our sponsor page and help us recognize those who make our programs possible.

· Tax advantages through OEP's 501 (c) (3) designation

· Satisfaction of

· providing valuable community services
· creating an energy-educated citizenry, for now and the future
· sharing student success on the Ohio Proficiency Tests, in the   classroom and in life
· helping develop key leadership, teamwork and presentation skills   in Ohio's youth
· promoting science and math proficiency for tomorrows workers

· Recognition in many forms through OEP's innovative materials and programs

· Positive relationships with educational, government, business and community   leaders through OEP's extensive sponsor network and Board of Directors

· Comfort of working with a highly respected, award-winning organization with a   solid record for fiscal responsibility

· Sponsorship LEVELS tailored to your organization's needs and abilities.

Specific Sponsorship Opportunities

· Development of new programs/materials in your interest area

· Professional development for teachers or student programs

· Customized programs/materials in specific geographic areas

· Youth Energy Celebration - OEP's end of the year extravaganza

· General operating expenses

· "In-kind" contributions of goods/ services