{"id":82,"date":"2022-10-28T12:45:54","date_gmt":"2022-10-28T17:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nyenergyratings.com\/blog\/?p=82"},"modified":"2023-03-09T10:07:47","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T16:07:47","slug":"save-energy-in-lower-hudson-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nyenergyratings.com\/blog\/save-energy-in-lower-hudson-valley\/","title":{"rendered":"Save Energy $ in Lower Hudson Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Five Home Energy Tips That Save Money<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Save
Keep out the cold! Cut your winter electricity bills this winter with these easy energy saving tips. Save money on your home heating in the lower Hudson Valley.<\/em><\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Energy customers in Newburgh and the rest of the lower Hudson Valley have probably had enough of Central Hudson’s tricks and treats. While recent electricity rate increases have been bad enough, customers have been slogging through in the utility’s billing software<\/a> problems. And now with the possibility of harsh winter weather and a looming recession, consumers need to find ways to cut their Central Hudson Electricity Bill<\/a> further. Well, we’ve got you covered. The weather will be nice this weekend. So, let’s check out five easy ways to save those big energy $ in Lower Hudson Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Air Seal Your Home and Save Energy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Newer homes are usually well sealed. But after a couple of years door and window seals can wear down and let in cold, moist air. One way to test for drafts is to close a dollar bill<\/a> in the door or window and see if you can pull it out. You can also look for signs of mold along the edges of your doors or windows. Seal these leaks with self-adhesive foam weatherstripping<\/a>. Installing a new door sweep or using a door draft stopper (some look like dogs) can also make a big difference for older doors. Lastly, it might look awful but if you have worn, drafty windows in an older home, putting clear plastic sheeting over them as a temporary fix can keep out howling January winds. You can apply clear plastic sheeting to the outside or the inside of the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Air Seal Your Duct Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You’d expect that when duct work is installed that it stays tightly in place. Nope. Blower vibration, expansion and contraction from heating and cooling, as well as poor assembly techniques can all help pull ductwork joints apart. Also, when installers fold sheet metal to form the plenum (where your duct work joins the HVAC unit) they sometimes miss covering little holes or gaps in the corners. Seal these with aluminum duct tape or duct mastic<\/a>. Don’t use the vinyl tape – it doesn’t last. Lastly, look for gaps and holes in the return ductwork, especially if these pass through unheated crawlspaces that are prone to grow mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 Wood Heat Inspection Time<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It turns out all that crackling noise about a wood heat ban in New York went up in smoke. The 2019 law<\/a> plans to reduce wood consumption by 40% by requiring new construction to use more efficient wood-burning stoves. In fact a federal 30 percent tax credit<\/a> kicks in during 2023 for new wood stoves. That also means you can still heat your home with your existing wood stove or fireplace! But do so, it’s a good idea to learn to burn wisely<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n