Energy Saving Ideas

Let’s Work Together to Save Energy!!
Here are some free and low cost tips to save on electricity, water and other energy resources. If we work together we can make a difference!!

  • Always adjust your thermostat before you leave the house.
  • Turn down your thermostat in the winter.  Try to keep at 70 degrees or lower in winter and dress accordingly to maintain your comfort.  Turn your thermostat up in the summer.
  • Turn off lights when not using them.
  • If you use your computer for a few hours in the morning and then don’t look at it until nighttime, turn it off.  Don’t leave your computer running all day.
  • Unplug appliances that aren’t in use.
  • Microwave food or use a toaster oven rather than using a large conventional oven when cooking small portions of food.
  • Take a shower rather than a bath—take shorter showers—5-8 minutes.
  • Replace old light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) by replacing 25% of your lights in high-use areas.
SOME OTHER IDEAS
WATCH WATER FLOW
  • Don’t over-rinse dishes going into dishwashers—it’s not necessary.  Most dishwashers clean residues off during the wash.
  • Install flow restrictor head on sink and shower faucets.
  • Turn off water while you brush your teeth or shave (can save 5 gallons of water or more).
  • When washing your hands or showering, turn the water on to get them wet, turn the water off while you lather, and then turn the water on again to rinse.

WASH YOUR CLOTHES IN COLD WATER
  • Wash your clothes in cold water and use 50% less energy than washing them in hot water.  Use cold water detergent for a more efficient cold water wash.
  • Also, don’t use the permanent press cycle.  Employing the “regular” setting instead of the permanent press setting may conserve about five gallons of water per load.
  • Wash only with full loads and use water-level adjustable settings depending on the size of the load.
  • Remember to remove lint from your dryer’s lint trap after every load.
  • Hang clothes to dry outside whenever possible to save energy and keep the house cooler in summer.

USE AIR-DRY SETTING TO DRY DISHES IN DISHWASHER
  • Use the air-dry setting to dry the dishes in your dishwasher.
  • Use the short cycle to wash dishes and run only full loads.

FIX ALL LEAKING FAUCETS
  • Fix all leaking faucets. Any constant dripping is wasting lots of water—up to 3,000 gallons per year!

CHECK YOUR TOILET TANK
  • Check your toilet tank.  Put a drop of food coloring into your toilet bowl and if it disappears right away then your tank is leaking.  Fixing toilet leaks can save 200 gallons of water a day.

INSULATE YOUR WATER HEATER
  • If your water heater was built before 2004 you can save as much as 10% on your annual water-heating bill by wrapping the tank in an insulation fireproof blanket.  (This should pay for itself in about 6 months.)
  • You can also turn your water heater down to the lowest practical setting, about 120 degrees. Reducing shower times to 5 minutes saves water and energy.
  • Try staggering the shower times so that lower temperature settings on the hot water heater will still provide everyone warm showers.  

INSULATE HOT WATER PIPES
  • You can cut water heating costs by insulating exposed hot water pipes in your home.  Less water is wasted “waiting” for hot water as well.

INSULATE YOUR ATTIC
  • Your attic may be under insulated.  Installing proper R-38 levels of attic insulation may save up to $500 per year in severe climates, less where it is mild.

TUNE UP YOUR FURNACE
  • Getting your furnace serviced every two years not only reduces the amount of carbon dioxide it emits, it could also cut your heating bills by up to 10%.
  • Be sure air filters are changed frequently for best circulation—every two months is recommended.  A dirty filter makes your furnace work harder.
  • You may also wish to close registers in unused rooms.

WEATHERSTRIP YOUR DOORS
  • Putting weather-stripping around your home’s entry doors could save $30 a year in heating and air conditioning energy use and reduces annoying drafts while preventing insects from entering your home.  
  • Seal leaks and cracks around windows and door areas.  Poorly sealed homes allow heated air to escape through gaps.  

INSTALL DIGITAL THERMOSTATS
  • Install a digital thermostat on your air conditioning system or heat pump.
  • Every degree of set “up” for air conditioning may save up to 5% on central A/C electric usage.  These devices can also “turn off” A/C when you are not home.  (Be sure to select the appropriate model; professional installation may be recommended.)
  • Every degree of set “back” for heating may save up to 5% on central heating energy usage.  These devices can also “turn off” mechanical systems when you are not home.  (Again, be sure to select the appropriate model; professional installation may be recommended.)

CLOSE WINDOWS AND DOORS
  • Close windows and doors during the hottest parts of the day and when outdoor conditions are humid.  Humidity can build up in home furnishings and may cause your air conditioner to run longer.
  • In the colder seasons, close doors and windows during the coldest part of the day and when outdoor conditions are windy.
  • When outdoor conditions are mild, usually about 70 degrees, open windows in all rooms of the house for natural ventilation.
  • You might install ceiling fans in your most frequently occupied rooms, such as family rooms and bedrooms.  These fans can make 80 degrees feel more like 75 degrees when it is hot.  When it is cold the fans can make a 65 degrees seem like 70 degrees be evening out room temperatures.  
  • In addition, closing draperies and windows shades on sunny warm days, particularly on south and western facing windows keeps the house cooler.
  • Alternately, in the winter, open draperies and window shades on sunny winter days, particularly on the South, East and Western facing windows.
  • You might want also to consider planting some drought tolerant shade trees around your home.  Remember to provide good summer and winter-time “solar” access to south–facing windows.
REDUCE OVEN, STOVE, INDOOR LIGHTS, & TELEVISION USE
  • Appliances release considerable by-product heat indoors resulting from electrical use.

NATURAL LIGHTING
  • Accentuate natural lighting in the home during hot months.  This can reduce electric lighting during hot days.  You can easily day light with “tubular” skylights where spaces have no windows.

LIGHT COLORS
  • Select the lightest colors when painting your home or putting on a new roof.  

POSITION YOUR FURNITURE IN YOUR HOME
  • Make sure your furniture is placed next to inside walls instead of outside walls, and away from drafty windows.  Avoid blocking heat registers and returns with furniture, draperies or carpet.

BONUS!!! WHY NOT PLAN TO DRIVE LESS?
  • Carefully plan your car trips that include multiple errands and destinations.  You may save 10 or more gallons of gas a week!!