Weatherization

• Caulk around windows and door frames.
• Weatherstrip window and doors.
• Insulate attic floor to R-38 to 44.
• Provide adequate ventilation for circulation in your attic.
• Seal bypasses (air leaks).
• Plant trees for a windbreak and sun protection.

• Follow manufacturer’s recommendation for proper maintenance of your heating system. When not available:
  1. Forced Air Furnace
     - Check for proper flue exhaust operation
     - Check flue pipes for signs of rust, corrosion or holes.
     - Oil the blower and motor (if recommended by manufacturer).
     - Check filters monthly and change as needed.
     - Clean humidifier at beginning of heating season.
     - Check ducts and repair leaks or separations, insulate if in an unheated area.
  2. Boiler
     - Check for steam or water leaks.
     - Check the water level.
     - Check the pressure.
     - Dust radiators regularly.
• Place thermostat on an inside wall away from any heating or cooling source.
• Keep thermostat set at 65°F to 68°F during the day and 58°F at night or when you will be gone four hours or longer.
• Lower your thermostat setting to 55°F during winter vacations or long periods away from home.
• Keep furniture or other obstructions away from radiators or forced air vents.
• On sunny days, open window shades or draperies to let the sun warm the house. Other times, keep window coverings closed to insulate against cold outside air.
• Insulate shades or draperies or hang liners behind draperies.
• Keep fireplace damper closed when not in use.
• Keep basement, garage or attic doors which connect with the house, closed if these areas aren’t heated.
• Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans sparingly.
• Place reflective or foil-covered fire retardant boards behind radiators, with spacers between board and wall, to reflect more heat into rooms.
• Close doors to unused rooms.
• Plug cold air leaks around permanently installed window air conditioner. If the grille plate is removable, tuck in cloth or plastic to shut off drafts; be sure to remove before turning on the unit.
• Stretch plastic tightly over the inside of windows to reduce cold air infiltration.
• Humidify is necessary. Dry air evaporates skin moisture and makes you feel chilly. Adequate humidity makes lower temperatures feel more comfortable.

• Keep temperature difference between indoors and outdoors no more than 15°.
• Shade windows from direct sun in summer with awnings and trees.
• Apply tinted plastic film to windows in summer. It reduces solar heat gain and makes lighter work for your air conditioner.
• Keep cooling system clean; this includes filters, fans, ducts, vents and thermostats. Clean or change the filter monthly during the heating and cooling seasons. Keep condensation drain open.
• Adjust registers to promote upward air flow.
• Keep outdoor cooling unit clean; remove leaves and debris and clean exposed coils with a garden hose.
• Do not block circulation of air from vents or cold air returns with furniture or draperies.

Range

• Preheat oven five to ten minutes for pastries and foods that rise such as cakes and breads. It is not necessary to preheat for meats and casseroles.
• Gas broiling is smokeless; broil with the door closed. Infrared broilers to not need preheating.
• Bake multiple recipes and freeze the extras for later use.
• Avoid opening the oven door; it can cause a temporary temperature loss of as much as 50°.
• Never use your oven to warm the kitchen; it was not designed for space heating. Using your oven in this way could damage the oven and cause formation of carbon monoxide.
  

• Cook on HIGH only when necessary. When food begins to boil, lower the flame to the smallest flame needed to maintain a gentle boil.
• Fit the flame to the pan size.
• Cover pans whenever possible.
• Cook foods in the least amount of water necessary.
• If burner flame is yellow, ports (holes) and/or gratesmay need cleaning.

Microwave

• The microwave is most efficient for small quantities of food–up to 2 cups.

Water Heater

• Insulate hot water pipes that run through cold areas.
• Drain a few pails of water from the faucet at the bottom every month to remove sediment.
• Control the temperature setting. Generally, 120°F is the best setting for most laundry and kitchen needs. Unless your dishwasher heats its own water, your water heater thermostat must be set at 140°F to activate dishwasher detergent. 120°F also protects against scalding injuries.
• Fix leaky faucets or toilet tanks. A small leak can waste as much as 3,280 gallons of water a year.
• Avoid long showers and full tub baths.
• Install a controlled-flow shower head to cut down on hot water use.
• Run garbage disposal with cold water.

Laundry

• When convenient, wash and dry full loads.
• Use cold water rinse whenever possible.
• Clean lint filter screen after each dryer load.
• Dry fabrics only as much as necessary.
• Vent dryer to the outside.
• Place dryer in a warm area of the home.
• Run consecutive loads when possible.
• Separate lightweight fabrics from heavyweight fabrics.
• Use the "automatic cycle" if your dryer has one.
• When replacing, consider a large-capacity dryer.

Dishwasher

• Wash only full loads.
• Scrape food particles from dishes but do not rinse.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on loading.
• Keep filter screen clean.
• Shut off dishwasher before it goes into the drying cycle; then open the door and let dishes air dry; or use the energy-saver air-dry option if your dishwasher has one.
• Use the proper amount of detergent. Too much or too little detergent reduces efficiency.

Refrigerator

• Allow space around the unit for good air circulation.
• Defrost the freezer before ice builds up to 1/4 inch thick.
• Set the refrigerator at highest temperature that will keep food from spoiling: 40°F for refrigerator, 0°F for freezer.
• Check seal on refrigerator door. Replace if necessary. Open and close refrigerator as little as possible, especially during hot weather.

• Turn off lights and TV when rooms are unoccupied.
• Keep light bulbs clean. Even a thin film of dust reduces their efficiency.
• Fluorescent bulbs use less energy than incandescent bulbs; they give more light and last longer.
• Cut down on electrical energy use during the "peak hours" of 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., where applicable.
• Check the Energyguide labels when shopping for new appliances. Improved design and materials make new major appliances much more efficient.

Call your local natural gas utility company or the Minnesota Blue Flame Gas Association at (763) 424-1841.
Reprinted with permission of Minnegasco.

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