Lower Costs, Lower Bills, Save Money, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas

2. As humidity builds up throughout the day & makes your air conditioner work harder mid-day...set that thermostat NO LOWER than 75 degrees F!

3. Keep refrigerator temperature between 37 & 40 degrees F, & well-stocked! Summer heat substantially increases costs for a refrigerator to run when not full.

4. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket! Your utility company often runs specials on this energy-saving item! Lower your electric water heater temperature to 120 degrees F. Turn OFF when not at home for extended periods; for a gas water heater, set to the "vacation" setting!

Save up several flat-bottomed food containers such as tuna-fish cans, and place 6 - 8 cans on the perimeter of your lawn. Turn on your sprinkler system and let it water for 15 minutes.

Check out the amount of water in each container, and multiply the amount in inches deposited in each can times the number of cans used. Now you know the depth of watering you're achieving!

You'll have shallow roots which will affect your lawn quality if your water penetration is less than 10 inches; watering more is ineffectual and costly! Why water below root depth??

Use "watering wisdom" for your lawn and it'll provide you and your family with much pleasure this summer, and save on watering costs at the same time!

Perhaps the most "unplanned for" item in your home is the replacement of your water heater! We become so reliant upon it to give us hot water for our dishwashers and warm water for our baths; however, we inevitable replace it when it breaks down and are faced with an unexpected emergency purchase.

Be prepared when yours needs replacing by considering now the energy-saving options of a Tankless Water Heater. They cost more, but save you $$ as they do not store heated water in reserve 24/7! They heat on demand, and the preferable gas-fired ones require venting; however, you can add up your savings!!

We all enjoy a sunny day; however, in the heat of the summer sun, if you find your home is not a cool respite from outdoor heat, it's time to do some cooling-off planning through proper insulation!

Here's the scoop: "R-VALUE" put simply, is the resistance to heat flow your home has.

The higher a home's R-value resistance/insulation, the cooler you'll find yourself inside!

Insulation's R-Values are charted in ability to provide quality insulative quality per 1,000 square feet of structural area.

Make certain the R-Value is high in the home insulation you choose! The greater the density, the more heat is kept out; conversely, in Winter, the more cold is kept out, and you win all around with $$$$ saved!

ENERGY TIP !! - Here's a surprise to many of us! AutoZone, a major auto parts store known to many of us, has found that gas mileage can be improved as much as 15% by installation of a new oxygen sensor!

A combination of what we already know: regular servicing focusing on not only the air filter, but the fuel filter kept clean also, plus good spark plugs, can serve to save you $$ at the pump.

Fuel economy is also enhanced by keeping the recommended tire pressure in your tires...and keep those wheels aligned for even more savings!

AutoZone also tells us that extra unnecessary weight in your vehicle lowers your miles-per-gallon average!

ENERGY TIP !! - There is an old saying that goes: "Spring has Sprung..." and it surely has!

One of the most important home investments you can make in energy savings is a Programmable Thermostat!

Almost 45% of your monthly utility bill represents dollars spent on heating & cooling. For about $100 or less, you can cut this percentage down to about 15% by making sure your new thermostat has the "Energy Star" label. It automatically adjusts when outside temperatures change and allows you to customize multiple settings based on an individual family schedule & preference basis

ENERGY TIP !! - Got dormer areas on your home upstairs? These are casually called "dog houses" in certain sections of the country.

Even though your roof may be well intact, sealant around the "dog houses" may harden and crack with age, allowing rain to enter the area above your ceiling and dampen the insulation, while at the same time discoloring your ceiling area in the residence.

Make certain this area around the exterior dormers are moisture proof! If you're not certain, opt for a no-cost estimate from a qualified roofing specialist. It could save you not only money, but the integrity of your home!

ENERGY TIP !! - Wintertime is here! Holiday baking is an annual event in most households, and while you're busy in the kitchen, remember these TIPs for Saving Money!

TIP #1: Make a kitchen timer your money-saving friend! Try to hold yourself back from continuous opening of the oven to check on your culinary goodies!

TIP #2: Get in the habit of turning off the oven when your baking is just about done...the residual heat will finish off the food nicely.

TIP #3: Eliminate completely the use of your dishwasher's "DRY" cycle! Open the door and air dry to save money!

ENERGY TIP !! - Another ROOFING TIP! Is your head spinning with roofing estimates with some bids for a "nail-over" (putting the new roof directly over the existing one(s) ) and others recommending a "tear-off" removing all old roofing & starting from scratch)?

"Nail-overs" tend to shorten the life of the NEW roof but cost less & may void any warranty; "tear-offs" enable any previous wood damage to be repaired through direct observation.

ENERGY TIP !!- It's time for the Autumn Caulk Gun! Take a Saturday afternoon to check out all exterior windows and siding on your home...what may be a small opening or area to you may allow cold weather access to chills inside your home. Make sure to purchase high-quality exterior caulk for optimum protection and lasting effect!

ENERGY TIP !! - Think Roof Thoughts! The adhesive on roofing materials requires heat to properly seal! If roof repair and/or a new roof is applied in cold weather, the sealant does not adequately adhere and could cause you future concerns.

ENERGY TIP !! - DOUBLE-THINKING WILL PAY OFF! Make sure your air conditioning system is "OFF" before heading off to work each day! We all like to get ready for work in the "Cool"...but paying for your home to be cool when you're not there is definitely NOT "Cool"

1. Make certain to close those drapes before heading off to work in the a.m. to keep your home as cool as possible in our warm summer weather.

2. Avoid running washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers in peak-use times of the day!

ENERGY TIP !! - Great New Website! The Texas State Energy Conservation Office has made available 5 INTERACTIVE ENERGY CALCULATORS! Set up your own Personal Energy Use Profile! http://www.ifinitepower.org/calculators.htm Take a NEW LOOK in a NEW WAY...Learn About Power and Energy and how it relates to You!!

ENERGY TIP !! - If you have ever had your refrigerator stop working, your service technician may have asked, "Didn't you know to clean the coils regularly?" The build-up of dust & grime on condenser coils can seriously impact operational ability & increase energy costs. Clean every 6 months! An "overworking" refrigerator costs more money to run and may demand either costly repair or the purchase of a new one!