Posted in The Simple Life
The temperature around here has dropped in the last week or so. The geese are starting to fly South and that means one thing, fall is on the way.
Back in March, I posted 9 Energy Saving Tips for Spring. Now it’s time for some energy tips for autumn. Direct Energy lists nine things you can do in the spring to make you home more energy efficient:
- Seal all leaks around doors, windows, and electrical outlets. Heat from your home escapes out of these cracks. By sealing these leaks you can save on your heating bill.
- Fall is the best time to clean the chimney and get vent systems checked. Pipes must be properly connected and there should be no signs of rust or damage.
- It’s also time to remove the window air conditioners for the winter. If they must stay in place, be sure to seal them with caulking or tape and cover them with an airtight, insulated jacket.
- If you are thinking of replacing your furnace, consider getting one that’s rated 90 percent or higher in efficiency. Replacing your old furnace with a new, more energy efficient one can save up to 30 percent of your heating costs. Remember to look for the ENERGY STAR® label.
- Is your insulation up to par? For a minimal cost, you can upgrade the insulation in your exterior walls, crawlspaces, basements and attics. Insulation may come in batts or loose fill, which can be blown into place and get those hard to reach places.
- Did you know you can lose heat through your electrical outlets, light switches and lighting fixtures? Consider installing foam gaskets behind these outlets and switches or install plastic security caps to reduce heat loss.
- If you have single-pane windows, add storm windows to cut heat loss by up to 50 percent. Better still, replace single-pane windows with energy-efficient double-pane windows with inert argon gas fill, warm-edge spacers and low-e coating.
- Make sure your heating vents aren’t blocked by furniture or drapes and the dampers are open. Vacuum out dust and pet hair from warm air registers and cold air returns so your furnace runs more efficiently.
- It’s time to take a look at your water heater. If its surface is hot or even warm, some of the energy used to heat the water is being wasted. Wrap the heater in an insulating blanket. Be sure to check your user manual and labels on the tank first.
- If you’re building a new home make sure you place the water heater as close as possible to the kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms. Heat is lost as it moves through long pipes so the closer the unit is to these rooms, the more money you could save.
- Did you know that if you never run out of hot water, then you’ve probably set your hot water thermostat too high? Before the winter comes, set your thermostat between 43 degrees Celsius (110 degrees Fahrenheit) and 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit).
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译文:
秋日节能11招
摘自《简单生活》
大约是从上个星期开始，本地的气温开始下降。大雁南飞，预示着秋季的到来。
三月份我们刊登了《春季节能9招》，今天要讲的是秋季如何节能。“直接能源”网列出了春天巧用室内能源的9个方法。
塞紧门、窗等出口的缝隙，因为屋子里的热能会从这些缝隙中散失。塞紧这些缝隙，可以省不少取暖费。
秋季是打扫烟囱，检验通风系统的好时机。确保各管道连接适当，没有锈迹、裂痕。
同时，在秋天应当拆掉窗式空调，为冬天做准备。如果无法拆卸，要用布条或其他填充物塞紧，再用密闭绝缘的套子盖好。
如果你正打算换一个火炉，请考虑换能量利用率在90%以上的。新型节能火炉可以帮你节省30%的取暖费用。记得看看上面是不是有ENERGY STAR® 的标识。
你的隔热系统够标准么？要使花费更少，你可以升级外墙、地下防霉室、地下室、及阳台的隔热系统。隔热材料可以用棉絮或松散的填充物制作，把它们吹进要填充的地方及难以到达的地方。
你知道吗，热量可能从电线出口，灯的开关及照明设备中流失。在这些出口及开关处安装泡沫垫圈，或者塑料安全盖，都可以降低热能损耗。
如果你的窗户是单层的，可以加装一层，节能50%。有条件的话，建议你将窗户改为Low-e镀膜氩气中空暖边双层节能窗。
保证散热系统畅通，没有被家具或窗帘挡住，加湿器打开。吸尘器中没有尘土、宠物毛发冷热空气对流畅通，这样火炉的利用率会更高。
检查一下热水器，如果表面温热，那么表明有些能量正在浪费。用隔热毯将热水器包起来。先要确保水箱上有使用说明及商标都在。如果是新房，安装热水器时，离厨房、洗衣房、浴室越近越好。在长管道中循环会流失一部分热量，热水器离这些房间越近，越能省钱。
你知道吗，如果热水你总是用不完，可能是因为你设置自动调温器的温度太高。在冬季来临以前，把水温调到43-49摄氏度（华氏110-120度）。
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