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HVAC (Heating & Air)
1. It’s generally a good rule of thumb to keep your thermostat set no higher than 68 in
the winter, and no lower than 78 in the summer. Each additional degree adds
about 5% to your energy costs!
2. Check and change filters regularly.
3. Use ceiling fans to circulate air as much as possible instead of the AC.
4. If not using a room very often, shut the door and close the vents in that room.
5. Check ducts often to close any potential leaks that present themselves.
6. If you have a fireplace, use it often in the winter to offset some of the heating costs.
However, when not in use make sure the vent is closed tightly.
7. During comfortable seasons, open windows and doors to allow the breeze to circulate
though the house. However, avoid running your HVAC system at any time when
there are windows and doors open.
Water Heating
1. Lower the setting on your hot water heater to 120 degrees, especially in the summer
months.
2. Wash and rinse your laundry in cold water.
3. Take shorter showers instead of baths and install low-flow shower heads.
4. Keep the kitchen faucet lever in the cold position when using small amounts of water;
placing the lever in the hot positions uses energy to heat water that may not
even make it all the way to the faucet.
Appliances
1. Refrigerators with the freezer on top are more efficient than the more attractive side
by side system. Be sure that your temperature settings aren’t set too cold. The
average should be 37-40 degrees for your fridge and 5 for the freezer section.
2. To check the temperature of your fridge, place an appliance thermometer in a glass
of water in the center and measure after 24 hrs. For the freezer, simply place the
thermometer between frozen packages.
3. Make sure your fridge doors are shut tight.
4. Cover liquids and wrap foods before storing them in your fridge. Uncovered foods
release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
5. Also in the kitchen, use small electric pans or toaster ovens for small meals rather
than your large stove or oven. A toaster oven uses 1/3 the energy of a full sized
oven.
6. Use pressure cookers and microwave ovens whenever possible for the same reasons.
7. Most of the energy used by a dishwasher is for heating the water. The same is true
for washing clothes. It is good to run hot water while cleaning dishes, but if you can
reduce the number of loads during the week and only run full loads of dishes you
will save.
8. Try letting your dishes air dry. If you don’t have that feature, try turning the unit off
after the final rinse and propping the door open.
9. Turn computers and televisions off when you leave for the day. Don’t leave these
appliances running up your utility bill.
Lighting
1. Turn the lights off when you leave the room. If you want a brighter room, use a
higher-wattage bulb rather than more smaller bulbs.
2. Take advantage of natural light whenever possible.
3. Use compact fluorescent bulbs whenever possible. These bulbs use 1/4 the
amount of energy that typical bulbs use.
4. Halogen lamps generate excessive heat that can create fire hazards. Use compact
fluorescent lamps in your torchiere fixtures. They are safer and use much less energy.
5. On exterior lighting, use timers whenever possible to control the use of the lighting.
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