By implementing energy-efficiency practices, you can save energy and reduce your electric bill.
Here are some easy, no-cost, or low-cost ways to use energy wisely:
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
- Clean or replace HVAC filters every 30 days.
- Keep interior doors and vents open to help air circulate.
- Find and seal cracks, gaps, and leaks. Check insulation.
- Use a programmable thermostat to manage your day and night settings automatically. Save 5% on monthly cooling costs for each degree you turn it up.
- Consider adding insulation to ceilings, walls, and attics. It can reduce cooling costs by 5% to 25%.
- Set the thermostat to the highest comfort level in the warmer months and the lowest in the colder months.
- Use fans to augment cooling but turn them off when you are not in the room. Ceiling fans do not actually cool a room. They just make you feel cooler.
- Have your HVAC system tuned up by a professional. Help your system run as efficiently as possible by having it professionally maintained at least once a year.
- Consider a new, more efficient HVAC if your current system is more than 10 years old or needs frequent repairs.
Water Heater
- Install low-flow faucets and showerheads.
- Buy an Energy Star model.
- Set the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees.
Refrigerator & Freezer
- Keep your refrigerator full without blocking airflow.
- Allow hot foods to cool, and cover any food that will release moisture.
- Clean the coils every three months.
- Replace old refrigerators or freezers with newer, more efficient models with an Energy Star rating.
Fight Against Humidity
- Use bathroom exhaust fans to remove humidity when showering.
- Use the kitchen exhaust fan to remove heat and humidity produced while cooking.
- Avoid running humidifying, heat-producing appliances (washing machine, dryer, dishwasher) during the heat of the day.
- Cover aquariums to keep moisture in.
Reduce Heat Transfer
- Close blinds or curtains to keep direct sunlight out of your home to reduce heat gain and improve cooling efficiency.
- Consider installing tint film or a solar shade on windows to decrease heat gain further.
Washer & Dryer
- Use cold water when possible.
- Adjust the water level to match the load size, especially when using hot water.
- Clean the dryer lint filter before each dry cycle.
- Do not overload the dryer.
- Use the auto sensor function to avoid the dryer running longer than necessary.
Stove Top & Oven
- Use less energy by cooking with a toaster oven or microwave.
- Plan ahead and cook several items at the same time.
- Match the size of your pan to the burner to get more heat to the pan and reduce loss in the air.
- Use the oven light to check cooking progress instead of wasting energy by opening the oven.
Pool Pump
- Limit your pool pump to run no more than eight hours daily during swimming season.
Electronics
- Consider buying LED TVs. Remember, the larger the screen, the more energy it consumes.
- To avoid “vampire loads,” consider using smart power strips to turn plugged-in devices on and off from your phone via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Many also include surge protection.
- Set computers to automatically switch to sleep mode instead of using a screen saver. Screen savers do not reduce energy use.
Choose a few of these tips to start saving money today.