We all know that energy conservation is important.
There are lots of simple things you can do to help conserve electricity and save money on your electric bill.
Look for the Energy Star label, the symbol for energy efficiency, when buying home appliances and products.
Households that replace existing appliances with Energy Star products can cut annual energy bills by 30 percent.
Raise you thermostat to at least 78 degrees. For every degree higher you set it, you'll save 2 to 3 percent on the air conditioning part of your electric bill.
Clean or replace central air system filters once a month.
Shade your air conditioner by planting a tree. This can increase operating efficiency.
Cover sun-struck windows with sun screens, reflective film, or awnings to keep the heat out.
Turn lights off when not in use. Not only do they use energy, but they also heat up the room and make your air conditioner work harder.
Consider replacing your regular incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. Fluorescent last longer, use less electricity, and help your home stay cooler in the summer because they generate less heat than conventional lighting.
Let Mother Nature light your home. Sunlight is brighter than a multitude of light bulbs, and it is free
Put timers on a few lights in your home, and installing motion detectors on exterior lights.
Use a microwave or toaster oven to cook small portions of food and a conventional oven or stove-top for larger items.
Turn off TV's, VCRs, cable boxes, CD players, cassette decks and computers during long periods of non-use. This will cut costs and increase the life of that product.
If your home has a fireplace, be sure the damper is closed tightly.
WINTER ENERGY SAVING Tips
 |
Heating and cooling is the # 1 largest energy expense in the home (typically 51%) |
|
|
Look for the Energy Star label when selecting appliances, products and lights to ensure the greatest efficiency. |
|
|
Keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. |
|
|
Clean or change the filter on heat pump systems regularly. |
|
|
Caulk and weather strip doors and windows. |
|
|
Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower during the day and 55 degrees or off at night, heat permitting. Keep warm indoors by wearing warm clothing, especially several lightweight layers. These measures can save 5% to 10% on heating costs. |
|
|
When the fireplace is not in use, keep the flue damper tightly closed. |
|
|
Set the ceiling fan to run clockwise to draw the air up and keep warm air circulating. |
 |
Water heating is the 3rd largest energy expense in the home (typically about 14% of your utility bill. Shorter showers, more efficient showerheads and lowering the thermostat on your water heater can help to decrease this expense. Set your hot water heater thermostat at 120 degrees (or "low"). It's hot enough for most needs including dishwashers which are generally made with booster heaters and it cuts down on energy needed to keep water hot in the tank. |
|
|
Always operate the dishwasher when full but not overloaded. Let your dishes air dry. |
|
|
Approximately 90% of the energy used to wash clothes goes to heating water. Use warm or cold water for laundry when possible, rinse in cold, and wash when you have full loads. |
|
|
Turn off non-essential lights and appliances. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs) are 4 times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and provide the same lighting. Exterior lighting is one of the best places to use CFLs because of their long life. |
Refrigerators
 |
Keep refrigerator or freezer full but not overcrowded. Use water containers or bags of ice to fill empty space. |
|
|
Check the door gaskets on both the refrigerator and freezer to make sure they are in good shape and from tight seals. |
|
|
Clean the coils on the bottom or back of the refrigerator several times a year to keep the unit operating properly. |
ELECTRIC DRYERS
 |
Clean the lint filter after each load. |
|
|
Run your dryer during the cooler parts of the day, early morning or late evening, to avoid adding heat to your home during the hottest part of the day. |
|
|
Dry consecutive loads to take advantage of the heat stored in your dryer. |
|
|
Do not over-dry your clothes. Instead, combine clothes that require approximately the same amount of drying time. |