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Take a bite out of your Energy Costs.

Canadians are not powerless when it comes to their energy bills. A few small changes before and during the winter heating season really can make a big difference.

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) provides the following simple tips for homeowners.

We are all affected by the price of energy and there are several simple steps, both short-term and long-term, that consumers can follow to lower their energy bills this winter.

Energy Saving Tips Consumers Should Pursue Year 'Round:

1. Regular inspection and maintenance of your residential heating system. A heating system that runs well is more efficient and will save you money. (The average furnace in North America is over 20 years old. New models are ultra high-efficient.)
2. Invest in a programmable thermostat for your furnace that lowers your home's temperature when you are not at home. You can reduce annual heating bills by as much as 10 percent per year by turning your thermostat back 10-15 percent for eight hours per day.
3. Protect against drafts by caulking and weather-stripping around windows, doors and other openings such as ducts, fans and vents.
4. Install flow-restricting showerheads. You can reduce hot water usage by up to 50 percent without affecting shower pressure.
5. Consider switching to a propane water heater. Over time, Propane water heaters can cost up to one-third less to operate and they recover hot water twice as quickly as electric water heaters.
6. Discuss payment plan options with a Sparling's Customer Service Representative. An Equal Payment Plan will help you spread your projected annual cost for propane over many months, lowering the costs of seasonally higher bills.

Energy Saving Tips Consumers Should Follow During the Winter Heating Season:

1. Change or clean your furnace filter monthly. Clean filters will increase efficiency (see Owners Manual for instructions).
2. Run washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers with a full load.
3. Turn down your water heater from the standard 120 degrees to 115 degrees. You could save more than 10 percent on your water heating bill.
4. Increase your water heater's efficiency by draining it every six months to remove mineral deposits and sediment.
5. Install flow-restricting showerheads. These reduce hot water usage by up to 50 percent without affecting shower pressure.
6. Repair leaky faucets. A drip or leak that fills a coffee cup in 10 minutes will waste 12,000 litres of water per year.

Questions? Contact Your Sparling's Branch.
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