Jerry Loch of Cornell Cooperative Extension led a workshop on saving energy and money at home. The workshop aimed to identify households' biggest energy uses, discuss actions to reduce energy and costs, and dispel myths. Heating a home is typically the highest energy cost, with space heating, insulation, and air leakage as key areas to target. Recommendations included setting back thermostats, installing programmable thermostats, checking insulation, sealing air leaks, installing efficient appliances and lighting, and taking other low-cost actions to conserve energy. Attendees were encouraged to choose 3-5 actions to implement for lower utility bills.

4. Where Your Home Energy Dollars Go

6. Save Energy, Save Dollars

9. Save Energy, Save Dollars Furnace Filters sometimes set on a tray above the fan (left) and sometimes slide into a slot next to the furnace (right).

10. Save Energy, Save Dollars Bleeding hot water radiators

11. Save Energy, Save Dollars Sealing edges of duct work and insulating ducts improves efficiency.

15. Certified Building Performance Contractors and weatherization agencies use professional tools such as blower doors to tell where the leaks are in your home. Home Performance Evaluation

17. Air leakage: The “Stack Effect”

20. Save Energy, Save Dollars Caution: Be sure circuit breaker is OFF before adjusting electric hot water tank!

36. … And check the label.