and Strategies to Efficiency The recent heat wave along with news stories about possible power shortages and rising energy costs across the country factor into concerns Missouri consumers have about energy costs in the middle of this long, hot summer. However, awareness about energy costs and strategies to make the home more energy efficient can help displace the typical U.S. family spends approximately $1,300 a year on home utility bills, of which 44% goes for heating and cooling, Missouri consumers can take solace. Across all sectors, Missourians pay some of the lowest prices for electricity per kilowatt-hour (kW-hr) in the country, thereby keeping energy costs down. According to the Energy Information Administration, (for the average retail price of electricity) Missouri was the 7th lowest state across all sectors combined (residential, commercial, industrial andOn average, Missourians paid 5.59 cents per kW-hr of electricity across all sectors.

Kentucky had the lowest average across all sectors in the nation, paying 4.47 cents per kW-hr, while Hawaii had the highest average, paying 16.04 cents per kW-hr. U.S. average across all sectors was 7.52 cents per kW-hr. For residences only, Missouri also ranked 7th lowest for the average retail price of electricity, paying 6.52 cents per kW-hr of electricity. Strategies for an Energy Comparatively, the news about electric costs for Missourians is good. However, there are ways to reduce energy costs further, which consumers can control. only save consumers money, but also have a positive environmental The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) suggests a number of strategies to further reduce energy costs by 10-50% on their website. We will focus on a few of these tips to a more energy efficient home. causing the most unwanted summer heat in homes are windows and walls (20 to 30 percent), internal gains from appliances and lights (15 to

25 percent), and through the roof (10 to 20 percent). The first step to an energy efficient home is to check insulation in ceilings, walls, crawlspaces, attics and the basement; and cracks around windows, doors, light fixtures, outlets and walls. Warm air leaking into your home during the summer and out of your home during the winter can waste a substantial portion of yourOne of the quickest dollar-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal, and weather-strip all seams, cracks, and openings toAccording to the DOE, you can save 10% or more on your energy bill by simply reducing the air leaks in your home. Once you've prevented unwanted heat from entering, and cool air from leaving it's time to pick the air conditioning unit that's right for you. While there are distinct differences among units, an average air-conditioned home consumes more than 2,000 kW-hr of electricity a year. One thing to look for when buying an air conditioner is the SEER rating.

Central air conditioners are rated according to their Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide aMany older systems have SEER ratings of 6 Before 1979, the SEER of central air conditioners ranged from 4.5 to 8.0. central air conditioner with a SEER of 6 with a new unit having a SEER of 12 will cut your air conditioning costs in half. Tips to Reduce Air The following tips provided by thein home ac units DOE can help you reduce the amount of energy used by your centralaverage cost to install new ac unit and window air conditioners:should i cover my ac unit Test your thermostat to determine the highest temperature setting you can be comfortable.

Start at 78 degreesBut remember, each degree setting below 78 degrees will increase your energy consumption by 4-8%. Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense. Over most of the cooling season, keep the house closed tight during the day. Don't let in unwanted heat andIf practical, ventilate at night either naturally or Use bath and kitchen fans sparingly when the air conditioner is operating. Whole house fans help cool your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through theThey are effective when operated at night and when the outside air is cooler than the inside. Don't place lamps or TV sets near yourThe thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run Plant trees or shrubs to shade air-conditioning

units but do not block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun. Inspect and clean both the indoor and outdoorThe indoor coil in your air conditioner acts as a magnet for dust because it is constantly wetted during the coolingDirt build-up on the indoor coil is the single most common cause of poor efficiency. The outdoor coil must also be checked periodically for dirt build-up and cleaned if necessary. Check the refrigerant charge. fluid in your air conditioner is a special refrigerant gas that is put in when the system is installed. If the system is overcharged or undercharged with refrigerant, it will not workYou may need a service contractor to check the fluid and adjust it appropriately. Reduce the cooling load by using cost-effectiveFor example, effectively shade east andWhen possible, delay heat-generating activities, such as dishwashing, until the evening on hot days.