February 2014
Take the
out of winter bills
Window condensation
Member Services Rep. Stan Mills mills@singingriver.com
hot-water needs. Also, if you’ve had your water heater for more than 12 years, you might want to consider replacing it with a more energy-efficient model. Seal and insulate: This is the best way to keep heat in and air out. Areas that may need sealing include corners, cracks, door frames and windows. Consider replacing old appliances, doors and windows with ENERGY STAR-rated models: You can save about 15 percent of your normal energy use with these appli-
ances and get better insulation on doors and windows for the price you pay. ENERGY STAR-rated items meet special efficiency standards set by the federal government. Free your vents: HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems will have to work twice as hard if vents are blocked by rugs, furniture or doors. Keep vents clear for proper air flow. Keep food cool: Don’t make your fridge work too hard. A temperature set between 34 and 37 degrees Fahrenheit is usually sufficient.
Keep warm with window treatments At Singing River Electric, we know that window treatments and coverings aren’t just for decoration—they can also go a long way in saving energy. Some carefully selected window treatments, such as draperies and insulating panels, can keep heat from escaping through window panes during winter months. A drapery’s ability to reduce heat loss and gain depends on several factors, including fabric type (closed or open weave) and color. Although it’s difficult to generalize about energy performance, when drawn during cold weather most conventional draperies can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10 percent. In winter, you should
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keep draperies that don’t receive direct sunlight closed during the day, and close all draperies at night. Draperies should be hung as close to windows as possible to reduce heat exchange and should fall onto a windowsill or floor. For maximum effectiveness, install a cornice at the top of a drapery, or place the drapery against the ceiling. Then seal the drapery at both sides with Velcro or magnetic tape, and overlap it in the center. Such snug window treatments can reduce heat loss by up to 25 percent. An inexpensive insulating window panel or pop-in shutter, typically made of a core of rigid foam
insulation, also reduces heat loss. The panels are made so that their edges seal tightly against the window frame, and they can be pushed or clipped into the interior of a window. No hardware, such as hinges or latches, is required. Of course, window treatments aren’t effective at reducing air leakage or infiltration—caulk and weather strip around windows to reduce drafts. Also, draperies work best for winter weather. Window blinds are more effective at reducing summer heat gain than winter heat loss. For more information, visit www.energy.gov. Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
www.singingriver.com
The holidays are over and the houseguests have left, but the winter chill plans to stick around awhile longer. During these shorter, colder days, electric bills tend to climb, and Singing River Electric wants you to keep in mind the ways you can save energy when the temperature drops. Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees (or lower): If you decrease the temperature by just one degree, you can save up to 5 percent on heating costs. Consider a programmable thermostat that you can set to lower the temperature when away from home and increase before you come back. Adjust blinds and curtains: Keep them open to let in sunlight during the day, and close at night to keep heat inside and protect from drafts. Reduce hot water temperatures: Heating water accounts for 12 percent of the average home’s energy use. Set your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees or lower—that’s usually sufficient for a household’s
As the outside temperature drops and becomes cooler, warm, moist air inside the home comes in contact with the colder glass surface of the windows. Inside air is cooled and moisture is released in the form of condensation on home windows. To reduce the amount of condensation on the windows, the humidity inside the home must be reduced and air movement created. The solution to this problem is to control moisture sources and increase ventilation. There are several ways to do this: • Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms. • Make sure the exhaust vent on the clothes dryer is sealed and is exhausted outside of the home. • Use your dishwasher during the day in the winter time. • Pull back the drapes and open the blinds to promote airflow on the windows. For more energy saving tips, visit www.singingriver.com or contact a Member Services Representative at Singing River Electric.
Notice of Singing River Electric Director Qualification Period Candidates seeking election to the board of directors for Singing River Electric Power Association must visit Singing River Electric’s Lucedale office (11187 Old 63 South) and obtain a Director Candidate Packet. The forms and petitions in the packet must be completed and returned by close of business on the last business day of March (Friday, March 28, 2014).