Current | LES Customer Newsletter Current - September 2018 | Page 2

UPCOMING EVENTS
Join LES for the:
• 2019 Duct Installation Project Open House 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6;
• And 2019 Budget and Rates Public Meeting 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4.
•
Both meetings will be held at the Walter A. Canney Service Center
(2620 Fairfield St.).
FALL ENERGY-SAVING TIP
Get your ducts in a row
Have your A/C unit serviced before fall to make sure you’re not
overpaying to heat your home.
Do you have high energy bills, drafty rooms or a dusty house? The
problem could be your ductwork. Ducts distribute air throughout your
home. Over time, they can develop leaks, holes and poor connections.
Leaky ducts can reduce heating- and cooling-system efficiency by as
much as 20 percent.
Did you know?
LES’ Sustainable Energy Program
helps to lower demand on our
community’s electric system by
offering incentive funds to help
customers make energy-smart
upgrades to their homes
and businesses.
Established in 2009, the SEP has
helped community members
choose eco-friendly upgrades
from LED lighting, heat pumps
and air conditioning to energy-
efficiency systems for commercial
and industrial facilities.
Do you have ductwork problems? Altogether, it helps LES meet
the growing demands of the
Lincoln area and delays the
cost of needing to build another
power plant.
Evaluate your home and heating and cooling system. There are
several indicators of poorly performing ducts:
• An older heating and cooling system with ductwork that has not
been inspected and maintained.
• Typically high summer and winter energy bills.
• Rooms that are difficult to maintain at a comfortable temperature.
• Certain rooms that always feel stuffy and uncomfortable.
• Ductwork that runs through crawlspaces or the attic. More than $2 million in incentive
funds is still available for 2018.
Explore qualifying equipment
and contractors for your next
energy-efficient upgrade at
LES.com/SEP.
The result is higher energy costs and rooms that feel uncomfortable,
no matter how many times you adjust the thermostat. Take a little
time to make sure your ductwork is properly sealed and insulated. It
will help make your home more comfortable and energy efficient!
Steps to improving duct performance
Ductwork is often hidden in walls and ceilings, so it can be difficult to
repair. Here are some things that you can do to make your ducts more
energy efficient:
• Seal air leaks in all ductwork that you can access, such as in attics
or basements, with mastic sealant or metal tape. Don’t use duct
tape, which tends to crack and peel off.
• Ensure that connections at vents and registers are well-sealed.
These are good places to find disconnected duct joints.
• Insulate ductwork in all unheated areas, such as attics and
crawlspaces. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
recommends insulation with an R-value of 6 or higher.
Contact a qualified professional if you suspect more serious ductwork
problems. They can inspect your duct system and evaluate your
supply and return air balance. If necessary, they will repair or replace
damaged ductwork or reroute your system.
Get more energy-saving tips like this © Questline Inc. content when you register
for LES’ em.Powered eNewsletter for residential customers at LES.com.