TIPS TO SAVE ENERGY TODAY
Install a programmable thermostat to
keep your house warm in the winter
and comfortable in the summer.
Lower the thermostat on your hot
water heater to 120°F.
Regularly change (or clean if reusable)
your HVAC filters to not only save
money, but improve your indoor air
quality.
Make sure your filter isn’t too
restrictive or it will cost you even
more money!
Plug home electronics, such as
computers, monitors, TVs and DVD
players into power strips and turn the
power strips off when the equipment
is not in use. (Even in standby mode,
they still use several watts of power
- if you are extremely environmentally
conscious.)
Air conditioning comfort is a function of
temperature, humitdity, and air movement.
Moving air can make a somewhat higher
termperature and/or humidity feel
comfortable. Utilize your home's
ceiling fans or box fans to keep air
moving and save on your energy bills.
Sealing and properly insulating duct
work can help reduce energy costs and
prevent air leakage. This is especially
important when ducts run through
unconditioned spaces (attic, crawl
spaces, etc.).
Wash only full loads of dishes and
clothes, it uses the same amount of
energy and water.
Upgrading your current HVAC system
with a newer, more efficient model will
help your energy usage. It is also
important that a qualified contractor
properly sizes the equipment and
ductwork.
Keep your HVAC system running as
efficiently as possible with bi-annual
late winter to early spring preventive
maintenance.
To make sure your air conditioning
system has a proper refrigerant charge.
A qualified HVAC technician will check
this as part of your system's routine
maintenance and make any necessary
adjustments.
If you are extremely conservation focused,
taking showers instead of baths can help
conserve energy and water.
Air dry dishes instead of using your
dishwasher's drying cycle.
Buy only appliances and products with
the ENERGY STAR® label.
Use compact fluorescent light bulbs
(CFLs) with the ENERGY STAR® label.
Use your home's window treatments
(blinds, curtains, etc.) to help control
the sun's effect on your indoor
temperature. Depending on your
home's exposure to sunlight, opening
your window treatments in the winter,
and shutting them in the summer will
let nature do some of the work.
This is huge!
Turn up your humidifier in the winter.
Properly humidified air "feels" warmer
than dry air so you'll be able to turn
your thermostat down a couple of
degrees without affecting your
comfort level, or at least leave
it where it is so you don’t have to
turn it up for warmth.