Page 4 - Fall 2023 BPU Connection PDF - FINAL

THE PERFEC
THE PERFEC
THE PERFECT SEASON TO PREPARE…T SEASON TO PREPARE…T SEASON TO PREPARE…

Home Weatherization Saves

Older homes can lack adequate air barriers to protect them from the natural
elements like wind, snow, and cold/hot weather. With a significant amount of
energy usage from furnaces and a/c units, weatherizing your home can significantly
increase its energy efficiency, leading to reduced energy usage.
Weatherizing reduces leaks around the perimeter of a home, and includes sealing
air ducts, bypasses, recessed lighting, as well as cracks around windows, doors, etc.
This added insulation supplements the barrier between the air inside and outside
your home, improving its energy efficiency, which can result in savings of more
than 25 percent on some energy bills. A weatherized home isn’t just great for saving
money – it also helps the environment. Energy conservation leads to less carbon
dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming.

Weatherizing a home is not dependent on income.
For those that might not be able to afford the upfront costs, the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE) has weatherization assistance programs in all 50 states. The Kansas
Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income households cover the cost of
heating, cooling, and energy efficiency improvements – free of charge. It’s funded
by the DOE and the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program.
At no charge, income-eligible families can receive a comprehensive home energy audit, assessing their entire home.
Certified energy auditors will inspect a home, inside and out, looking for inefficiencies and safety concerns using
advanced equipment and identify a customized account of areas for cost-effective improvements. The improvements
will be provided free of charge by a network of professional crews and contractors. For more information or to enroll, go to
www.ECKAN.org/weatherization/ or call 785-242-6413.

Simple Ways to Lower Save money and energy while staying comfortable during cold weather.

Energy Costs this Winter From quick fixes to daily activities, below are simple and inexpensive
things you can do to ensure maximum savings this winter.
Take Advantage of Heat from Adjust the Temperature Maintain Your Heating
the Sun • When you are home and awake, set the Systems
• Open curtains on the south-facing thermostat as low as is comfortable. • Schedule routine service for home
windows during the day to allow • When you are asleep or out of the house, heating systems.
sunlight to naturally heat the home and turn the thermostat back to save as • Replace furnace and heat pump filters
close them at night to reduce the chill much as 10% a year on your heating and once a month or as needed.
from cold windows. cooling bills. • Use a humidifier. Moist air feels warmer
• A smart or programmable thermostat and cuts down on static electricity.
Cover Drafty Windows can make it easy to set back your
• Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on temperature. But make sure the Find and Seal Leaks
temperature is comfortable for pets!
a frame or tape clear plastic film to the • If you have a heat pump, maintain a • Seal air leaks around utility cut-throughs
inside of window frames during the cold moderate setting or use a programmable for pipes ("plumbing penetrations"), gaps
winter months. Make sure the plastic is thermostat specially designed for use around chimneys and recessed lights in
sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce with heat pumps. insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces
infiltration. behind cupboards and closets.
• Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or • Add caulk or weather-stripping to seal air
shades on windows that feel drafty after Lower Water Heating Costs leaks around leaky doors and windows.
weatherizing. • Keep the temperature of the water
heater to the warm setting (120°F). This
4 | FALL 2023 will not only save energy – it will also
help avoid scalding.