Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Conservation Tips For Ohio Propane & Pennsylvania Propane Customers

By Cath Buhr


The less energy we use, the less we have to pay. Saving money is always a great idea, but lowering our energy usage also is good for everybody. For those who use propane as an energy source, you already have opted for one of the most efficient fuel sources available, but here are a few other ways to trim the energy costs.

Heating and cooling a home are perhaps the two most costly uses of energy in the typical American household. You can reduce your heating costs by making sure that you have plenty of insulation and that all of your air ducts, windows and doors are well sealed. Install a thermostat that allows to you regulate the temperature of the home based upon when you will be there. Keep the thermostat low when you are at work and while you are sleeping. You can program the thermostat to switch on 20 or so minutes before you arrive home or wake up to ensure that you are warm enough.

Along those same lines, your air conditioner will work more efficiently if your windows, doors and ducts are sealed. Energy efficient windows also can lower cooling costs, and even installing good shades can reduce the amount of sunlight in your home, which makes it easier for the air conditioner to do its job. Sometimes there are federal tax credits available for upgrading to a more efficient air conditioner or heater.

Your old appliances might be sucking up a lot of your energy dollar, so whenever possible, consider upgrading to a better, smarter appliance. Be sure to ask about tax credits whenever you switch out a fridge, dishwasher, washer, dryer or a water heater. Also, be sure to only wash dishes and run a load of laundry when you have a full load. Consider washing clothes in cold water as much as possible and turn off the heated dry option on your dishwasher to save a few more dollars each year.

Energy efficient light bulbs are expensive, but they last a long time and they truly can reduce your energy usage and costs. Think about upgrading light bulbs a few at a time, and you should see a big savings over time. In addition, be sure to unplug appliances such as the microwave or the coffee maker when not in use, as these continue to draw a small amount of power. If you hook up all of your electronics, such as TVs and DVD players to a power strip, you can simply switch off the power strip when the devices are not in use to save power. The same rule applies to your computer and also your printer.

If you are an Ohio propane customer, a Delaware propane customer or perhaps a Pennsylvania propane customer, it is wise to buy your propane when the cost goes down, which usually happens in July and August. It's quite expensive to purchase during the winter months, and Thrifty Propane offers pre-buy specials for customers who wish to stock up when the costs are low. This definitely can add up to big savings on your yearly energy costs.




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