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Hello,

Welcome to Insurance Networking Systems, we are the in-house insurance agency for Next Generation Realty.  We are an independent insurance agency, which represents over (9) different companies for auto and home insurance.  “Your Protection & Peace Of Mind Is Our Only Business”…this is not just our motto, but it’s the way we do business with our clients…we’re not like your typical insurance agency….we’re not going to tell you what you want to hear, but rather what you NEED to hear.

Call us today at 243-1223 or email me at joe@insnetw.com to get your FREE no obligation quote and start SAVING up to $223, $393, $571 or more a year. 

Each and every month we’ll bring you news and tips to make your life easier, safer and happier.  So enjoy!

You can save BIG money this year!

Conserve energy and you could save hundreds, even thousands, on your energy bill this year.

According to the EPA, the average American household spends $1,500 every year on their energy bills.  With the rising cost of energy, that number is expected to rise to almost $2,400 this year.  That’s a lot of money for anyone to be spending on their gas and electric bills, and that’s a lot of money that you could be saving and using for something else!

Conserving energy does not necessarily mean wearing two pairs of pants, three shirts, two coats, and eight pairs of socks.  It means being ‘energy wise’.

What does it mean to be ‘energy wise’?  It means turning off the lights when you leave a room.  It means dropping the thermostat temperature by 2 degrees.  It means turning down the water heater temperature a few degrees.  These are simple things that may not seem like much, but they really add up.

Here are a few ways you can conserve energy and save money this year:

SEAL UP YOUR HOME                                       

Sealing up your home may seem obvious, but far too many people don’t do it.  The principle is simple: Seal up all the cracks and holes in your home to reduce heat loss in the winter and cold air loss in the summer.  A few things you can do include:

• Weather strip and insulate your attic hatch or door and seal all holes that lead from the attic into your home.

• Where pipes, wires, and vents enter or exit the home, use caulk or spray foam to seal the holes.  Be sure to check under your sinks.

• Caulk window and door frames both inside and outside.  If you’re not sure what kind of caulk to use or how to caulk, ask someone at your local home improvement store.  It’s actually very easy to do.

• Check the weather strips on your doors and windows and use foam gaskets inside all your electrical outlets.

HEAT YOUR HOME SMARTLY

Most of your energy bill (almost 50%) goes to heating and cooling your house.  In the winter, be sure you are properly and efficiently heating your home.  The following steps will help you ensure proper heating of your home:

• Replace your furnace air filter regularly.  Air filters are inexpensive, and a dirty air filter will make your furnace work extra hard, costing you more money.  TIP: Buy air filters by the box.  They generally cost only a dollar or two each, so a box is affordable and you’ll always have extras on hand.
• If you can access your ducts, make sure all the seams fit together properly, if they don’t, seal them with some UL-181 rated tape or duct mastic.  This will ensure that all your hot air is heating your home instead of your attic or basement!
• If any of your ducting runs through your basement or crawl space, wrap it in insulation.  Your local home improvement center will sell insulation designed specifically for this purpose.
• Drop the temperature of your thermostat when you are asleep or away.  If your house is vacant during the day, drop the thermostat into the 50s to ensure that it doesn’t come on while you are away, then set it to turn back on about 30 minutes before you come home.  TIP: If you don’t have a digital thermostat, run down to your local home improvement store and pick one up.  They can usually be purchased for $25-$50.

CHANGE YOUR LIGHTS

Contrary to what most people think, lighting your home is expensive and can represent up to 20% of your energy bill.  Head back down to the local home improvement store and pick up just five ENERGY STAR approved bulbs.  Put the new bulbs in the five most frequently used lights in your home.  Over time, make it your goal to replace all the lights with ENERGY STAR compliant bulbs.

POWER DOWN COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS

Most homes are ‘plugged in’ with all kinds of electronics.  Cell phones constantly need charging, computers are left on, stereos, DVD players, and even TVs are left on with no one around.  Simply turn things off when not in use, place your computer in power-saver mode, and unplug chargers when not in use.

USE ENERGY STAR PRODUCTS

The government stamps its ENERGY STAR label on products that meet specific energy standards.  The next time you purchase an appliance or any electronic component, check to see if its ENERGY STAR rated.  It can save you tons of money in the long run.

OTHER ENERGY SAVING TIPS

• Use your ceiling fans in the winter, too!  Reverse the direction of the blades (use the switch on your fan) to send warm air down to the lower areas.  Make sure you use it on the lowest speed.
• Open your blinds during the day to let sunlight in and close them at sundown to add insulation to your windows.
• Set your water heater to the “normal” setting and use a water heater insulating blanket to help keep the water warm on older models.

Taking these simple steps can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings throughout the year, and make your home more comfortable to live in.  You don’t have to purchase expensive new appliances or re-insulate your entire house to realize savings.  Just change out some light bulbs and seal a few cracks and you could be in for big savings!

For more information about energy conservation in your home, visit the ENERGY STAR website at www.energystar.gov.