Reducing energy consumption is something we can all do. These Energy Savings Tips can take little effort, but give great rewards…saving you money and making a better planet.
Purchase only Energy Star and Underwriter Laboratory Certified Products. There are Cash Rebates and Tax Incentives for replacing older, less efficient appliances and products.
Appliances
Refrigerator/freezer.
• Set refrigerator between 36° F and 42° F and freezer between -5° F and +6° F.
• Clean dust off condenser coils, fins, evaporator pan, and motor once a year.
• Units work better in rooms above 60° F.
• Check seals with a dollar bill to see if it is tight enough.
Dishwasher
• Run full loads.
• Use short cycles.
• Skip rinsing the dishes, just scrape them.
• Clean the filter.
Ranges, ovens and cook tops
• Keep the door shut. Every time you peek, the temperature drops 25° F.
• Consider a natural gas range or oven, it cost less to operate than electric.
• Cook with small appliances that use less energy.
• Turn off cook tops or ovens a few minutes before food has completed cooking.
• Check the oven temperature with an oven thermometer.
Washers and dryers
• Run full loads.
• Wash laundry in warm or cold water, using hot water as necessary.
• Rinse in cold water.
• Don’t dry clothes excessively.
• Clean the lint filter each time. Clean the air vent and hose annually.
Water
• Replace your hot water heater if over 5 years old.
• Insulate water pipes.
• Repair dripping faucets promptly.
• Install water saving devices.
Moisture Control
• Install a dehumidifier with a drain.
• Clean units at least once a year.
Lighting
• Install LED light bulbs to cut your electric bill by $150 for the 5 most used lights. CFL’s do save energy, although they contain mercury, last ¼ the life, are not recyclable, and their life is shortened every time they are turned on and off.
• Use natural lighting.
• Control lighting with timers and motion sensors.
Heating and Cooling Seasons
• Use the right size equipment.
• Have units tuned up annually.
• Install a programmable thermostat, out of air currents or extreme temperatures.
• Keep the sun out in the summer and in for the winter.
• Close doors of unused rooms.
• Central Air Conditioning
• Keep the condenser and filter clean and free of debris. Clean the filter monthly and replace as needed.
• Delay chores that produce heat and moisture until it is cooler outside.
• Keep vents and registers clean and clear of furniture.
• Ventilate your attic with a thermostatically controlled solar or electric fan.
• Keep air conditioners out of the sun.
• Room air conditioners
• Use a timer and varying fan speeds.
• Keep the unit centrally located.
• Seal the unit in the opening.
• Don’t set the thermostat high to start, it won’t cool the room any faster.
• Close the fresh-air vent, opening only when outside air is cooler.
• Remove the unit at the end of the cooling season or seal it.
• Natural Cooling
• Use ceiling fans for air circulation, blowing down in summer and blowing up in winter.
• Use a whole-house fan with the windows open to ventilate your entire home.
• Open the upper part of your windows to cool the house faster.
• Open the windows at night and close them during the day.
• Heating
• Consider natural gas for boilers or furnaces.
• Close the fireplace flue. Install inflatable dampers to create a better seal.
• Consider fireplace inserts, doors or covers to prevent drafts.
• Clean ducts, fins and other heat delivery parts.
• Insulation
• Insulate where possible, where practical, and where appropriate for the building.
• Control air-flow. A Blower Door test can reveal the greatest area of loss.
• Doors and Windows
• Seal around windows and doors. A 1/8” gap around a door is equal to a 3-1/2” hole.
• Assess your windows. Storm windows can have an equal savings to replacements, and cost much less. Replace windows that cannot be repaired.