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Community Corner

Slash Your Palo Alto Utilities Bill

One single issue can cause you to lose up to 30% of your heating energy.

 

Did you spend more money over the holidays than you planned? Or perhaps saving money is one of your New Year’s Resolutions.

One painless way to tune-up your finances is to cut your monthly utilities bill.

Find out what's happening in Palo Altowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Palo Alto Utilities has just released an updated list of tips to lower your monthly bill:

  • Lower the temperature on your thermostat
    Every degree you reduce the temperature setting on your thermostat saves about 2%. During the winter, most people can set their thermostat at 68 degrees while at home, health permitting. Turning the temperature setting way down or even off when you are away or at night can save as much as 15% or more.
  • Install an ENERGY STAR® programmable thermostat
    Program your ENERGY STAR certified thermostat to turn on and off automatically. For example, set the thermostat to turn off an hour after you go to bed and back on one hour before you wake up. Remember, each degree you lower your thermostat can save you up to 2% on your heating costs.
  • Clean or replace your furnace filter regularly
    A dirty filter prevents proper airflow, makes your heater run longer and uses more energy. By simply cleaning/replacing the filter in forced-air heating systems you can save up to 5% on your heating costs.
  • Annual heating system tune-up
    Have your heating system professionally checked once a year to keep the unit running efficiently. Make sure there are no leaks in your ducts. Leaky or disconnected air ducts can cause you to loose 10% to 30% of your heating energy. Why let all that heat blow outdoors?
  • Plug those air leaks in your home
    Seal doors with draft-reducing weather-stripping and door sweeps, install gaskets behind outlet covers, seal areas where plumbing is entering your home and add weather-stripping or caulking to leaky windows. These changes can save you up to 10% on energy costs.
  • Replace your aging furnace and get a rebate or a NO INTEREST LOAN through the city's contractor network
    If you are thinking about replacing your furnace, take a quick look through the heating cost calculator to find out what your annual savings might be. If a new furnace makes sense for you, you can get a rebate for installing a qualifying high-efficiency model. Get more information on the rebate program here.
  • Lower the temperature on your water heater
    Reduce your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees or to the low/medium setting.
    If you have a dishwasher without a built-in heating unit, 140 degrees is recommended (refer to your owner's manual). Each 10 degree reduction will save 3% to 5% on water heating costs.
  • Install high efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators
    Save up to 50% on hot water costs and reduce water waste by installing high efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators.
  • Take a shorter shower
    Reduce that lingering time in the shower by a few minutes and save hundreds of gallons of hot water per month for a family of four. Showers account for 66% of your water heating costs. Cutting your showers in half will reduce your heating costs by 33%.
  • Insulate with window coverings
    Close blinds and drapes at night to keep cold air out and open them during the day to let the warm sun in.
  • Insulate your attic and walls and get a rebate
    Insulation is one of the least expensive things that you can do to reduce energy usage and improve comfort. Adequate insulation above the ceiling and in the walls does the same thing for your house that wearing a hat and sweater does for you----keeps the heat in and the cold out! Proper insulation can save up to 30% on your heating bills and will make your home more comfortable in the process. Rebates of up to $200 are available for installing insulation. Call (650) 329-2241 for more information on rebate requirements.
  • Stay more comfortable by keeping your furniture away from windows and exterior walls, especially if your walls are not insulated.

 

Find out what's happening in Palo Altowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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