• Seal areas where hot outside air comes in and mixes with conditioned cool air, such as the gaps around the edges of window air conditioners.
• Concentrate the conditioned cooled air in the rooms that are occupied. The fewer rooms and the smaller the area cooled the more energy efficient.
• On a windy day or with a portable fan check for air flow around the closed windows and doors. When you feel the air going through the edges of the window or door it�s in need of weather-stripping replacement or repair.
• Inspect caulking if flaking or peeling and re-caulk as necessary.
• Heated swimming pools should be equipped with controls to limit heating water temperatures to no more than 80 degrees F, except for pools used for therapeutic purposes. Dark colored pool covers aid in heating by solar energy.

• Plan ahead for emergency heating. Explore sources of alternate fuels available for you and your family in the event the heating system fails. For example, a wood stove can provide emergency heat should your primary system fail. Portable generators can restore partial or complete power for your home as well (see generator safety section). Planning now will give your family the confidence it needs should an emergency arise.
• Candles are the largest thing that should be burned in your home without adequate ventilation to the outside. For example, combustible heat sources such as kerosene heaters require sufficient ventilation (always consult operation instructions).
• Don't add another flue to your chimney without checking with your local fire department. If not in use, plug off the fireplace flue and enjoy up to a 30% savings by keeping the heat in your home.
• Service your heating system at the beginning of each heating season. When using wood fuel for heating, have your chimney cleaned also at the beginning of each heating season.
• Cover or remove window air conditioners.
• Adjust outdoor light timers for length of day and/or daylight savings.

• Lower thermostats to 68 to 65 degrees when you�re awake at home and 60 degrees when sleeping or away. Most homes will save approximately 15% heating energy by turning down the thermostats.
• Daylight savings time provides more daylight at the end of the day during spring, summer and early fall. However, during the winter we need more artificial lighting.
• Reduce lighting by concentrating lighting for work, reading and other areas where it's really needed. Keep draperies and shades open when the sun is shining and closed when it is not.
• Your clothing choices can make a difference. Dressing in layers allows you to easily adjust for changes in temperature.

Click here for winter safety tips.

Be Prepared for Unplanned Outages: Keep a Storm Kit Handy

• Flashlight with a supply of fresh batteries
• Battery operated radio
• Telephone that does not require electricity (Cordless phones do not operate during a power outage)
• Supply of water
• Supply of easy-to-prepare non-perishable food items like fruits, packaged snacks, juice and canned goods
• Manual can opener
• First Aid Kit

Holiday Lighting Safety Tips

• Only buy lights that are UL listed
• Before using, check all tree lights for frayed cords, loose connections and broken sockets Never use indoor lights outside
• Don't let tree light bulbs touch needles and branches
• Keep your fresh tree watered
• Don't overload sockets
• Turn off lights when you leave the house or go to bed
• Attach outdoor lights with hooks, not nails or tacks
• Don't string outdoor lights when it's wet outside
• Always plug outdoor lights into GFCI outlets only
• Tape all outdoor extension connections to keep water out

Electric Space Heater Safety Tips

• Select units that are in good working condition and that are UL listed
• Purchase a heater with a guard around the heating element
• Never use in a bathroom or near a sink
• Never use a heater to dry clothing or thaw pipes
• Never use an extension cord
• Never run the cord under rugs or carpeting
• Turn off heater when you go to bed or leave the room
• Place the heater on a level surface for stability
• Don't place the heater where children might play near it or where people or pets might trip over or bump into it
• Remember the 3-foot safety zone. Keep all items and loose clothing at least 3-feet away from heater

• Water heaters require annual care. Scales of dissolved minerals form on the sides of the tank and pieces of scale flake off and go to the bottom of the tank as sediment. This scale should be flushed out each year. The hotter the water is heated, the more scale forms; another good reason not to have temperatures hotter than 120 degrees Farenheit. Follow these procedures for removing sediment: Turn off the circuit breaker to the tank and the incoming and outgoing water. Hook a hose up to the valve at the bottom of the tank and allow it to drain, then flush out the tank by turning on the cold water. Unscrew the anode rod at the top of the tank to allow air in to enable the water to drain quicker. Inspect the anode rod and replace if destroyed by chemicals in the water. Be sure to fill the tank completely before placing the circuit breaker in the on position.
• Proper selection and placement of trees, shrubs and vines adds not only to the attractiveness but also helps in energy efficiency by lowering the heating and cooling needs of a home. Evergreen trees and shrubs will protect from winter winds. Deciduous trees can shade a home from sunlight in the summer, and when the leaves fall off the sun adds warmth in the winter. Vines on the south side of a building absorb and reflect the sun in the summer and when the leaves drop off the sun adds warmth in the winter.
• Inspect, test, clean air conditioning system.

These buildings are primarily used for recreation and relaxation. Staying on top of needed maintenance is sometimes difficult because it takes away from the recreation and relaxation. Maintenance is a must to help prevent larger building problems in the future.

Opening and closing a building is done with ease when a checklist is designed and used for both opening and closing.

Closing

____ Plug off the fireplace flue when not in use.
____ Turn off the water heater at the electrical panel. Drain heater, pipes and pour antifreeze into sinks and toilets.
____ In the event you wish not to drain the water heater and pipe system, you should concentrate heat in rooms where the water heater and pipes are. Keep the cabinet doors open to allow heated air to circulate around the water pipes beneath cabinets.
____ Cover window air conditioners and seal around the edges.
____ Turn off the heat and close the doors in rooms that don't have water pipes in them. Set all other thermostats between 50 to 55 degrees.
____ Close draperies and shades.
____ For safety and efficiency unplug all the appliances. Empty and prop open the refrigerator door.
____ All heating systems should be cleaned and maintained annually.
____ Adjust the outdoor light timers for winter hours.

Opening
____ Plug off the fireplace flue when cooling with an air conditioner.
____ Fill the water heater first and then turn it on from the electrical panel.
____ Water heater sediment should be removed once a year to extend the life and efficiency of the water heater. Turn off the water heater at the electrical panel, and turn off the cold water coming into the tank and the water flow out of the tank. Attach a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and drain the water and mineral scaly substance out of the tank.
____ Inspect, test, and clean all air conditioning systems.
____ Test all fire alarms to be positive the batteries are still functioning.
____ Adjust outdoor light timers for the length of day.