posted 10/17/11 02:14 PM | updated 10/17/11 02:14 PM
Featured Post! | Views: 381 | Comments : 0 | General & Breaking News

Like Clean Air? Dislike Fracking? Do Your Part at Home

By ICL
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Illustration courtesy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

There is nothing quite like a crisp, clear Idaho morning to remind us why life is good in the Gem State. As the temperature drops and the sun is out for fewer hours we begin to use more energy in our homes. 

The more energy we use, the more we all contribute a little bit to air pollution and the pressure to develop natural gas. Here are some easy home upgrades so you can have a warm, cozy house while limiting your footprint.

If you are an Idaho Power customer, every megawatt-hour of electricity you use produces 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide. What's a megawatt-hour you say? It the amount of electricity used by the average home in Idaho in one month.

If you use natural gas for heat, your carbon footprint is smaller, but gas production can be a fracking mess. ICL is working hard to protect Idaho's groundwater while allowing some natural gas production in Idaho. You can help by using the gas we do have wisely.

We all have a variety of things in our homes that use energy, but about half of the total energy use is from heating your home and your water. By focusing on these uses, you can reduce your impact and save some money. 

Here's how you can help:
  • Change your furnace filter. This is the simplest and cheapest thing to do in your home. New filters cost less than 20 dollars. A clean filter means warm air flows freely so that your heater runs less. 
  • Wrap your water heater with a blanket. Just like you, your water heater enjoys a warm blanket on a cold night. Pick one up when you get your furnace filter and make your heater happy.
  • Get a programmable thermostat. Then set it and forget it. For less than 30 dollars, your furnace will give you heat when you need it and save your money and the earth when you don't.
  • Insulate your attic. Just as you put on a warm hat on a cold day your house needs a warm hat too. Blowing more insulation into your attic is easy and you can get cash back!
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