PECO Gives Tips to Save Money and Energy

The fall season is here and now is the time to prepare your home to stand up to old man winter, because he's just around the corner. PECO customers can learn how to save energy and money and find tips to get ready for winter, from the attic to the basement, on our Website at www.peco.com/smartideas.

Customers can save energy and money using the following tips:

Warm up your heating system

• Have your furnace professionally inspected every two years. A well-maintained system will last longer, operate better and save you money.

• Replace the filter for your heat pump or furnace for the new heating season. Dirty filters block airflow and force equipment to work harder -- this increases operating costs and can cause damage.

Weatherize your home

• Inspect the insulation between heated and unheated areas to ensure insulation is at least six inches thick. Insulation is the single most important energy conservation measure. It will deteriorate over time and occasionally needs to be reinforced.

• Inspect the caulking or weather stripping around windows, doors and any openings to the outside such as dryer vents. A drafty house lets warm air escape and is much more costly to keep warm - especially on the coldest days of the season.

• Install plastic sheeting for windows if homes do not have storm windows or double pane windows. Remove window air conditioners if possible, or install an air conditioner cover to stop drafts.

A few more tips

• Keep blinds, shades and drapes open on sunny days to take advantage of solar heating. Air ducts can be a major source of heat loss.

• Keep heating vents clean with a vacuum or broom and do not cover ducts with drapes or furniture that can block the airflow and possibly cause a fire.

• Install water-saving shower heads to reduce the amount of hot water that you use. Install programmable thermostats that can better regulate temperatures.

• If you have a fireplace, keep the fireplace damper closed tightly when not in use.