Public Service Announcement:. We interrupt this Oak Leaf to inform everyone that GLH will be implementing a price increase on September 1, 2019. Please contact us if you are planning to build between now and September 1, 2022 to find out how you can lock in today's prices. This ends this Public Service Announcement; resume programming.

By Lynn Gastineau
President of Gastineau Log Homes, Inc.

Welcome to the August 2019 issue of The Oak Leaf! For new readers, this is a monthly newsletter that is sent by e-mail to those that have expressed an interest in Gastineau Log Homes. We use this as a way of communicating technical, design and industry information. For more information, check out our web site at oakloghome.com

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Lights Out... Or Not: Turn off the lights when not in use— except if the bulbs are CFLs. Switching off a CFL bulb when you’ll switch it back on in less than fifteen minutes actually uses more energy. Bonus tip: turning off incandescent and LED lights when not in the room will not only reduce your bill, it will extend the bulb’s operating life.

Those nasty electronics: Plug electronics—TVs, computers, radios—into a power strip and switch it off when not in use. Three-quarters of electricity used by home electronics happens while they’re turned off. Leave them plugged in when not in use and these “energy vampires” will cost you an extra $100 per year.

What is cheaper to run? A full refrigerator or an empty refrigerator?: A FULL refrigerator! Zero in on your refrigerator’s efficiency; it uses more energy than all of your kitchen appliances combined. Clean the coils twice per year to improve efficiency by up to 50 percent. Keep the thermostat between 35 and 38 degrees, and keep it filled to boost efficiency. No need for that much food? Use pitchers of water in the fridge or bags of ice in the freezer to take up room.

Dig out the old Crock Pot: Use your slow cooker more often. It’s 75 percent more efficient than a conventional oven. And, you’ll spend less time in the kitchen. Win-win!

Tips for your Laundry: First, launder everything in cold water. Ninety—yes, ninety—percent of energy used by washing machines goes towards heating the water. Plus, cold water is proven to clean just as effectively and will help your clothes last longer. Second, place a dry towel into your dryer for the first 15 minutes of the cycle to absorb moisture and help clothes dry 10 percent faster. If you do seven loads per week, this could save you nearly $30 per year. Or, better yet, hang clothes to dry. You can save $45 per year by hanging four of eight loads each week.

Check out programs offered by your utility company: Ask your utility company about a “load management” or “cycling” program, which uses a radio signal to shut down air conditioners and water heaters during peak demand times in return for financial incentives like bill credits or rebates. Or programs that provide water heater blankets for free. Or tax credits for water heater replacements. Your utility company wants you to use less electricity. They have programs that will make it much more affordable!