The Colorado Springs Utilities company recently published an exceptional Conservation and Safety Guide. The following is a summary of the key suggestions for homeowners:

Find out where your home uses the most energy and learn what improvements could make your home
more efficient.

IDENTIFY WHERE THE LEAKS SNEAK IN:

• Floors, walls and ceilings are the top culprits when it comes to leaks in
  your home.
• Check air ducts, fireplaces, plumbing, doors, windows, vents, fans and even electrical outlets, especially on the outside walls.
• Outlets and wall switches are other avenues air takes to get in or out of your home. Gaskets and switch covers, made of special foam, install easily between the switch or outlet and its plate. Just unscrew the plate, insert the cover and reinstall the plate. Outlet plug inserts can also help limit air leaks and serve as a safety measure for young children.
• Where the air comes in and out - floors, walls and ceilings 33%; Air ducts 15%; Fireplace 14%; Plumbing 13%; Doors 11%; Windows 10%; Fans and vents 2%; Electrical outlets 2%.

Weatherize your home with weather stripping around doors and caulking
around windows.

STRIP DOWN FOR WINTER:

• V-weather stripping is best for metal or vinyl spaces. It forms a springy top that bridges the gap between the door and the door jam or the window sash and the frame.
• Rubber, foam or sponge rubber weather stripping is a good choice to help seal doors and windows.

CAULK THIS WAY:

• Look for gaps in the following places: outdoor faucets, plumbing under sinks, and where utility lines enter your home.
• Check the exterior of your home, especially at the corners where the siding or trim joins the masonry or siding.
• Silicone caulk is best. It sticks to most surfaces, it's flexible and has a long life span. Acrylic latex and butyl rubber are also options, but do not compare to silicone on price and performance. Be sure you have a good caulking gun.
• Before you apply caulking, remove any old caulk and make sure the surface is clean and dry.
• To apply, follow the instructions on the caulk tube or packaging.

About your appliances and electronic controls.

INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT:

• Select one that will automatically adjust your temperature setting for a certain time of the day and week. This will help you save money and keep your home comfortable by automatically adjusting the temperature settings while you are asleep or away.
• Look for a programmable thermostat that will store four or more
  temperature settings a day and adjust heating turn-on time as the outside temperature changes.
• Make sure the unit has a battery-operated back-up thermostat.
• Confirm that the thermostat is compatible with the electrical wiring found in
  your current unit.
• To maximize energy savings, install your thermostat away from naturally cool and hot spots. During the winter months, set your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees when at home and 60 degrees when away or sleeping.

SAFETY CHECKING YOUR HEATING AND GAS APPLIANCES:

• Install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm to alert you to CO leaks. CO is colorless and odorless and can be very deadly. When inhaled it enters the blood stream and can result in CO poisoning which produces flu-like symptoms including dizziness, nausea, fainting and convulsions. Experts recommend a CO alarm on each floor of your home.
• Have your furnace and other gas-burning appliances inspected by a licensed heating contractor.
• For cleaner air and to improve efficiency, clean or change your air filter once a month during the heating season.
• Check your fireplace(s) for any blockage. If the walls of the chimney are black and shiny, almost like coal, you should have it cleaned. A blocked chimney can be deadly when gases aren't able to vent properly.
• Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms.
• Keep all gas appliances clean and properly vented.
• Never cover air vents that supply fresh air to your appliances.
• Do not store any flammable materials in or near gas appliances. Don't use the oven or cooking services as a storage area.
• Never use your oven or stove top to heat your home or dry clothes.
• Good flame - a good flame should be about 90 percent blue.
• Bad flame - a yellow flame indicates the appliance isn't working properly and could be giving off harmful fumes. Not all problems with gas appliances will have the symptoms of a yellow pilot light - and not all pilot lights are visible.

GAS LEAKS:

• If you sense a faint rotten egg smell in your home, check rage burners and the pilot lights on your gas appliances.
• If there is a sudden or strong rotten egg smell in your home, get everyone out of the house immediately. Don't stop to open a window. Don't touch anything that might create a spark, such as a telephone or light switch. It's also a good idea to stay away from carpeted areas to avoid sparks of static electricity.

Other suggestions:

CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL UTILITY COMPANY:

• Check your local utility company's web site for rebates being offered to help conserve resources and save money.
• In addition to efficiency rebates they may list conservation tips, energy and water efficiency profiles, water restrictions, environmental information and of course rates.
• Be sure to read their monthly newsletter.
• If you need a contractor for home repairs or improvements, consider using a referral program offered by many local utility companies. They will provide names, phone numbers of local, licensed, insured, and experienced contractors who meet professional standards.

CONSIDER A WARRANTY:

• Consider purchasing a warranty with protection against weather-related freezing of indoor and outdoor utility lines.