Energy Saving Tips

Here’s Ten Ways to Save On Your Energy Bill:

1. Use passive solar heating on sunny days. Open drapes on south-facing windows when it is sunny. At night, close drapes to retain heat. Close drapes to provide insulation where windows receive no direct sunlight. Up to 15% of your heat can escape through unprotected windows.
2. Use ceiling fans to circulate warm air throughout your house. The most efficient ceiling fans cost as little as 30¢ a month if used eight hours a day. Ceiling fans will keep warm air from collecting in the highest parts of you ceiling.
3. Plant trees for shade. Deciduous trees — those that produce leaves in the spring and then lose them in the fall — shade your house from the sun during warmer days and let the sun warm your house on cooler days.
4. Make sure your furnace is in top-notch condition and change the filters regularly.  Once a month on hot air systems.
5. Set your water heater at 120 degrees. Overheating your water beyond 120 degrees can be wasteful and unsafe. By lowering your water temperature to 120 degrees or less, you can save up to $25 annually if you use an electric water heater or $18 annually if you use a gas water heater.
6. Seal and caulk areas around windows and doors to stop drafts.  Cover air conditioners to stop breezes from blowing though them.  Turn down your thermostat during the day when no one is home and at night when everyone is in bed.
7. Set your refrigerator at the right temperature. Your refrigerator temperature should be set between 34 and 37 degrees and your freezer at 5 degrees. Not only are these the safest temperatures for food storage, but most refrigerators are manufactured to operate most efficiently at these settings.
8. Consider high-efficiency appliances. Top-freezer refrigerator models use 7% to 13% less energy than side-by-side models. High-efficiency dishwashers use 25% less energy than conventional models, and high efficiency clothes dryers can save up to 30% in energy use over standard models.
9. Clean your dryer filter and exhaust vent. Regularly clean out your dryer filter and exhaust vent. When they become clogged with lint, your dryer works harder and uses more energy.
10. Install dimmers and motion sensors where possible. Dimmer switches can increase bulb life up to 20 times longer if dimmed to half the brightness. Motion sensors give you light when you need it.

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