senatorkasunic.com |
KASUNIC: HOME ENERGY AUDIT CAN HELP REDUCE HEATING BILLS HARRISBURG, DECEMBER 1, 2009—State Sen. Rich Kasunic (D-Fayette/Somerset/Washington/ The Department of Environmental Protection’s “Turn Down, Seal Off, Save Up” initiative offers energy conservation tips and resources for finding financial assistance with utility bills. “The approach of cold, winter weather reminds us of the importance of keeping home heating bills low,” Kasunic said. “Finding ways to use less energy will result in significant cost savings.” Kasunic said a home energy audit can calculate how much energy is being used, whether or not it is being used efficiently and can reveal ways to make a home more energy efficient. Homeowners can perform a simple energy audit themselves, or they can hire a trained professional to do a more thorough evaluation. According to Kasunic, homeowners who choose to perform their own audit can easily spot places that allow warm air to escape and cold air to enter the home, for example drafty windows and doors. He added that adding weather stripping to windows and doors, replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient, compact fluorescent bulbs will lead to immediate savings of energy and money. A more thorough evaluation may find less obvious sources of energy loss, such as insufficient insulation. A professional audit may also recommend upgrading antiquated heating systems, replacing inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR units, installing storm windows and doors and replacing old water heaters. “No family should be left in the cold this winter,” Kasunic said. “A home energy audit, along with simple, inexpensive ways to reduce energy consumption, can save residents hundreds of dollars on their winter utility bills and keep homes safe and warm.” For additional energy saving tips, and for information on financial assistance with utility bills, visit www.TurnSealSave.org
|