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Show just common cents by Pat Whitfield . " .. : 'j ... TO YOU.During late afternoon after-noon and early evening hours, the load - oh the nation's electrical systems usually reaches its peak. To meet the heavy demand, . electric utilities must often generating eqm-ment that is not energy efficent.! Try to use energy-intensive appliances appli-ances such as dishwashers, , clothes dryers and washers, and electric ovens in the early morning or late evening even-ing hours to help reduce that peakload. If everyone scheduled household chores during offpeak hours, 1 the utilities daily fuel use would be reduced and the nation's energy would be conserved. If every household in the U.S. lowered its average heating temperatures 6 degrees degr-ees over a 24-hour period, we . would save more than . 570.000 barrels of oil a day. If everu gas-heated home were properly caulked and weatherstripped, we'd save enough natural gas each year to heat about foru MILLION homes. It's only common cents!! ENERGY SAVING TIPS. . Last week I visited the Energy Fair, sponsored by the Utah Energy Office and Fashion Place Mall, in hopes of finding ever new and creative ways of saving energy. Regretfully, with the exception of just a few exhibits, the overall effect was that of a marketplace for energy-oriented building suppliers, fireplacestove vendors, and car dealers. However, I did acquire a handy-dandy litle booklet entitled "Tips for Energy Savers", published by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, ; Washington D.C. 20585. Among the pearls of energy wisdom contined within its pages, the following piqued my penny-pinching fancy so I pass them along to you. DRAFT-PROOF WINDOWS WIND-OWS AND DOORS. Move a lighted candle around the frames and sashes of your windows.If the flame dances around, you need caulking andor weatherstripping. Try slipping a quarter under the door. If it passes through easily, you need weather-stripping. weather-stripping. WATER HEATERS.Most water heaters are set for 140 degrees or higher, but you may not need water that hot unless you have a dishwasher. dishwash-er. A setting of 120 degree F. can provide adequate hot water for most families. If you reduce your water temperature from 140 to 120 degrees F.. You could save 18 precent of the energy used at the higher setting. You can determine your water temperature by drawing draw-ing water from the bottom faucet of the heater and testing it with a thermometer. thermomet-er. IN THE IOTCHEN.Install an 'aerator in your kitchen sink faucet. It will reduce the amount of water in the flow, causing you do use less hot water and saving the energy that would have been required requir-ed to heat it. The lower flow pressure is hardly noticeable. notice-able. ' Never boil water in an open pan: Water will come to a boil faster and use less energy in a kettle or covered pan. If you cook with electricity, get in the habit of turning off the burners several minutes before the allotted cooking time. The heating- element will stay hot long enough to finish the cooking for you without using more electricity. electric-ity. The same principle applies to ovencooking. Watch the clock or use a timeer don t continually o-pen o-pen the oven door to check the food. Every time you open the door heat escapes , and your cooking takes more energy. Use pressure coolers and microwave ovens if you have them. They can save energy by reducing cooking I time. ' j HOW TO SAVE ELECT- ' RICITY BEFORE IT COMES |