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BRRR. If this year’s record-setting winter blasts have you yearning for warmer weather, take heart. This month we bring you more tips
and toasty ideas for staying warm in winter’s remaining months, and additional thoughts on how to keep energy bills under control.
First, we address the great space heater debate – are they worth the money, and how will they impact your overall energy bill? As tax season
approaches, we offer tax incentive tips for decreasing long-term energy costs while giving you a break when tax time rolls around. And if you’re
still debating whether to replace incandescent bulbs with CFLs, here are a few more good reasons that make it easier to make the switch sooner rather than later.
Be sure to check out our quick quiz on attic insulation and how to make sure you’re covered; and find instructions for creating your own low-cost,
high-comfort heating pad that will soothe those winter blues away.
Enjoy the white stuff while it lasts, and stay warm!
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A space heater is a space heater is a space heater
You may have seen full-page newspaper ads or heard commercials by radio celebrities touting a “new advanced portable space heater
that can cut your heating bill by up to 50%.” (One of these units sells for $400 and was actually ranked second-to-last in
performance by a leading consumer magazine.)
Or, maybe you’ve seen the ad showing a “free miracle Amish fireplace” that “uses less energy than a coffee maker, yet produces an
amazing 5119 BTUs!” (That’s the same number of BTUs a standard 1500-watt portable electric space heater produces. You can buy one of those
for $30 to $60 at any hardware store, yet the “miracle fireplace” is priced at $298.)
Be wary of claims that portable electric space heaters can save you money on your energy bill.
If you’re thinking of buying a space heater, it will probably increase your heating bills, not decrease them. Here’s the reason – it
costs twice as much to heat with an electric space heater than it does to heat with a natural gas furnace. For every one degree you set your
thermostat back, you can save about one percent on your heating bill. In order to save with a space heater, you would have to only use it in the
room you’re occupying and turn down the thermostat to the rest of the house, so that the furnace doesn’t go on. This may be impractical or unsafe to do.
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After-holidays energy bill can be surprising
Right after the holidays, we start getting calls from customers who have had a big rise in their energy bill from the previous month. Here are some things to consider:
Winter holidays — Many households see increased bills after the holidays due to decorative lights, more cooking,
space heaters running more than usual, additional houseguests and college-age children back in the house (more showers) for the winter break.
Longer billing cycle — Your meter is read on approximately the same day each month, but holidays can cause your meter
to be read earlier or later than usual. Check your bill to see if this month’s bill covered more days than last month’s.
Colder weather — December was 76% colder than November. Heating systems operate longer and harder in colder weather, which uses more energy.
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2009 tax incentives for homeowners
In October 2008, tax credits were extended for energy-efficient home improvements (windows, doors, roofs, insulation, HVAC, and non-solar water heaters).
Tax credits for these residential products, which had expired at the end of 2007, will now be available for improvements made during 2009.
However, improvements made during 2008 are not eligible.
The bill also extended tax credits for solar energy systems and fuel cells to 2016. New tax credits were established for small wind energy systems.
See more information at right.
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6 CFL Myths: Take a fresh look at the new bulbs
Just a few years ago, compact fluorescent bulbs were difficult to find and not friendly to use. Boy, how times change.
Still, lots of myths exist, so let’s debunk a few:
They’re expensive – These days, you can find them for $2 per bulb or less. Based on a 20-watt CFL, you would
get the $2 back in energy savings in the first 10 weeks. Besides, they last 10 times longer, so you don’t have to buy them as often.
They’re too big to fit in some fixtures/lamps – There are many more sizes available than in the past. Specialty
bulbs are now available for dimmers, three-way lights, chandeliers, and recessed cans. You can find the right bulb for your use.
They flicker and h-u-m-m – Older CFLs did flicker, but improved technology has taken care of both of these issues.
The color is not good – Today’s CFLs come in a variety of colors from warm yellow-white to cool blue-white.
Look around and you’ll find a brand that has the right hue for you.
They aren’t as bright as regular light bulbs – Make sure you match up equivalent lumens. You’ll need at
least a 23W CFL to replace a 100W bulb.
The mercury inside is a health hazard – Although CFLs contain a small amount of mercury, they reduce your overall
lighting impact on the environment. It’s important to recycle CFLs instead of putting them in a landfill. Besides, CFL bulbs use
much less energy than incandescent bulbs. Less energy used means less coal burned at power plants – which means less mercury overall.
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Share your energy-saving story
Do you have an energy-saving story to share? Your experience can help others who are working to save energy. You can make a difference.
Send your story to us and if we use it in an upcoming newsletter, we’ll send you a FREE Conservation Kit valued at $45.
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How can I tell if I need more attic insulation?
Generally, if you can see the tops of the attic floor (joist depth 12”) or if the attic is floored and there is no insulation
on top of the flooring, it would be cost effective to add more. You can also stick a ruler in your insulation. If it’s less
than 7-8” deep, consider adding more insulation.
For an energy evaluation by a trained consultant, contact Wisconsin's Focus on Energy at 800-762-7077 or
click here.
The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR audit provides a thorough inspection and helps identify energy problems such as low insulation levels
and hidden air leaks, along with a list of recommendations to solve the problems.
The audit also qualifies you for cash-back rewards from the state for making home energy improvements.
You can call MGE's Home Energy Line at (608) 252-7117 to talk with an energy advisor about your options for energy improvements.
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Related Link:
How to Insulate Your Attic
[PDF – 655 KB] |
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Make your own “rice sock” heating pad
Save money and energy by making your own “rice sock” or compress, which can be used to relieve your aches and pains or just
warm you up. Mitten warmers can be made the same way by sewing small fabric pouches and filling them.
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Get a heavy-type sock and fill it about 2/3 with uncooked (not minute) rice. Don't pack it too tightly – leaving
room for the grains to move around will enable it to more easily conform to the treatment area. You can add scented oil, herbs or a tea bag for a nice scent.
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Tie the open end of the sock with yarn, ribbon or a knot. |
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Put the filled sock in a microwave oven for 1 to 3 minutes, depending upon size. |
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Shake the sock to evenly distribute the heated grain or rice. |
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Apply the sock to the desired body part. |
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We respect your right to privacy.
Copyright ©2009 Madison Gas and Electric, Inc. All rights reserved.
Madison Gas and Electric Company
133 So. Blair Street
Madison, WI 53703
energywise@mge.com |
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