By LINDA CAWLEY
IDWR Information Specialist
The Energy Division is releasing two free products—a booklet and a video—to help make your home more energy efficient.
Prepared by the U.S. Department of Energy, "Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy and Money at Home" is available in both English and Spanish and includes non-technical graphics, charts, and interesting tips. It covers most energy-related topics in the home as well as home office. It suggests ways small changes, as well as long-term changes, can be noticeable on utility bills.
The key to achieving these savings in your home is a whole house energy efficiency plan. For example, a heating system is not just a furnace. It's a heat-delivery system that starts at the furnace and delivers heat throughout the home using a network of ducts.
Even a top-of-the-line, energy-efficient furnace burns a lot of fuel if the ducts, walls, attic, windows and doors are not insulated and leak. Taking a whole-house approach to saving energy ensures that dollars you invest to save energy are spent wisely.
For a free copy, call the Idaho Energy Hotline, (800) 334-SAVE, or e-mail the hotline office at Linda.Cawley@idwr.idaho.gov.
Building a new home?
With an increasing interest in Energy Star home construction, the Energy Division and Idaho Power Co. jointly produced a short video. It can be downloaded free from either agency's Web sites, or in DVD format from the Energy Division. It includes comments from owners of Energy Star homes as well as energy efficiency experts.
A new Energy Star-qualified home performs better for the homeowner and the environment due to a variety of features:
· Quiet and comfortable.
· Lower maintenance.
· Reduced utility bills.
· Improved indoor air.
· Tested and certified.
· Environmentally friendly.
To access the video, log on to the Energy Division's Web site at www.energy.idaho.gov and follow the links. Anyone unable to access the video can call the Idaho Energy Hotline, (800) 334-SAVE, to request a free DVD.
Linda Cawley
