Homeowners can take big steps and little steps to make their homes more energy efficient, energy contractors and suppliers agree.

An important step is to make sure your heating and air conditioning system is in good condition, said David Hix, owner of Hix Air Conditioning Service Inc.

“Have it checked and serviced regularly,” Hix said. “And have it cleaned to help it run more efficiently.”

“Having it maintained ensures a high degree of efficiency,” said Don Sherry, communications manager for Oklahoma Natural Gas.

Space heating and space cooling take up 43 percent of a home’s energy, according to a graph from the U.S. Department of Energy. Heating takes up 31 percent while cooling takes up 12 percent. Heating water takes up yet another 12 percent of home energy costs.

The energy department says a first step in cutting energy costs is to find out which parts of the house use the most energy. The Department of Energy Web site list ways homeowners and renters can conduct energy audits, including how to locate air leaks or drafts, inspect insulation and check heating and air conditioning systems.

“These are common-sense things such as ‘Does air leak out around weather-stripping,” Sherry said.

State utility companies such as OG&E; offer online home audits as well. The OG&E; site says the utility is teaming with weatherization agencies to improve energy efficiency. Steps include duct sealing, insulation, water heater blankets, door and window sealing and appliance upgrades.

The electric company also suggests “forward-thinking initiatives” when building or buying a new home, or retrofitting an existing home. These include increased insulation, insulated windows and energy efficient heating and cooling systems.

An even greater step is to use a geothermal heating and cooling system. OG&E; says a geothermal system can heat and cool a 2,000 square-foot home for about $1 a day.

“We do lots of homes with geothermal energy, new homes or retrofitting existing homes,” said Hix, who has sold and installed geothermal systems for about 10 years.

He said geothermal units involve plunging water pipes 200 to 300 feet straight down into the ground, where a constant temperature is maintained.

“The actual system inside a home is no different than a conventional heating and cooling system,” he said. “We use the same water over and over for the heat and we use the earth for the heat. Hix said geothermal energy could cut energy bills by 40 to 60 percent.

However, geothermal energy comes with a steep start-up cost.

“It can cost 30 to 40 percent more to install than conventional systems,” he said. “But most geothermal systems have longer life cycles and last 10 more years than usual systems.”

Federal tax credits of up to 30 percent are available for people who want to improve energy efficiency of their homes, Hix said.



Energy tips

Here are ways to improve energy efficiency in your home:

• Check insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces. Visit www.energysavers.gov for instructions.

• Check for holes or cracks around walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.

• Check for open fireplace dampers.

• Make sure appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained. Check owner's manuals for recommended maintenance.

• Study your family's lighting needs and use patterns, paying special attention to high-use areas such as the living room, kitchen, and outside lighting. Look for ways to use lighting controls to reduce lighting energy use, and replace standard (incandescent) light bulbs and fixtures with compact or standard fluorescent lamps.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy Web site, www1.eere.energy. gov/consumer/tips.



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