Daily Dose: Energy News You Can Use

29th Annual Building Safety Week is May 3-9, 2009

WASHINGTON, May 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — During Building Safety Week 2009, the International Code Council Foundation is providing a Daily Dose of news consumers can use to save money and prevent disasters. Monday’s Daily Dose is energy savings. There are many affordable steps consumers can take to make their homes more energy efficient, ranging from zero cost to long-term improvements:

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090504/DC09762 )

• Zero cost
  • Turn off lights when you leave
  • Unplug appliances that stay in standby mode
  • Adjust the thermostat at night or when leaving the house
  • Air dry dishes
  • Keep doors and windows closed and close the blinds during the day
• Low cost
  • Purchase and install energy efficient light bulbs and programmable thermostats
  • Add insulation and seals around doors and windows
  • Replace heating and cooling system filters every one to three months
• Long-term improvements
  • Install ceiling fans and storm doors/windows
  • When replacing appliances, upgrade to energy efficient models such as those with the Energy Star label
  • Install sun shades or canopies to diminish sun exposure on windows
  • Start budgeting now for window, door and insulation upgrades

Quick News Facts

• You don’t have to spend money to reduce your energy bills.
• Simple things like turning off lights and unplugging appliances will add up to savings.
• A small investment in a programmable thermostat can save homeowners up to $180 annually in energy costs.
• Start planning now for long-term investments that will save you even more in the long run.
• The 2009 International Energy Conservation Code encourages energy conservation to benefit the public through efficiency in design, mechanical systems, lighting systems and the use of new materials and techniques.

Home Depot offers quick online “how to” videos about many of the improvements listed above as well as energy savings podcasts. The U.S. Department of Energy also offers various consumer tips as does the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on their Energy Star site.

“Building Safety Week is about helping consumers by providing tools to make homes safe, sustainable and disaster-resistant using affordable techniques,” said Rick Weiland, International Code Council Foundation Board of Governors President. “Making simple changes in your everyday behavior, adopting low cost improvements such as programmable thermostats and planning for enhancements during ordinary home maintenance will make a significant impact.”

America will celebrate Building Safety Week from May 3 through 9 with the 2009 theme of “Building Safety: Where You Live, Work and Play.” First observed in 1980, Building Safety Week annually raises public awareness of critical safety issues affecting every person, regardless of age or occupation. These entail the structural soundness of the buildings where we live and work, reliability of fire prevention and suppression systems, plumbing and mechanical systems and energy efficiency and sustainability. To learn more about Building Safety Week and see the growing list of supporting leaders, individuals and countries, visit www.buildingsafetyweek.org.

The International Code Council Foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 subsidiary of the International Code Council. The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.

SOURCE International Code Council Foundation