Use energy wisely!
When you drive up to the gas pump and fill your vehicle with gas, are you conservative? While filling your vehicle, have you ever alternated pumping one gallon into your vehicle and pumping the other gallon onto the ground? Probably not, right? Why, then, do you leave electric appliances on when no one is using them, set your thermostat too high in the winter or too low in the summer, wash only half loads of laundry, or take long, hot showers? When you waste energy, you are essentially “pumping one gallon in and one gallon on the ground.”
Check out the energy tips below so you can learn more about using energy wisely.
Energy Saving Tips
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Heating & Cooling
- Install a high efficiency electric heat pump. Purchase units that are rated at 15 SEER and 9.0 HSPF or higher.
- Clean or replace central heating and cooling filters every month. Use your monthly energy bill as a reminder.
- Service your heating and cooling unit annually.
- If you have an electric heat pump, set it and forget it. Once you’ve set your thermostat for the season, leave it alone and don’t readjust.
- Set your thermostat as low or high as comfortably possible, depending on the season. Typically, local power companies recommend that you set the thermostat between 76-80 degrees in summer and 68-72 degrees in winter.
- Keep all heating and cooling vents free from obstruction.
- DO NOT close vents and doors to unused rooms if you heat and cool with an electric heat pump; doing so could affect the systems airflow and make the fan motor and compressor work harder.
- Turn air-conditioning units (i.e. window units) off if you’re going to be gone for an extended time.
- During summer months, close draperies on the sunny side of the house during daytime.
- During the heating season, set the thermostat back to approximately 55 degrees when you will be gone for extended periods of time (i.e. multiple days). Don’t set it back too low to avoid freezing pipes. During the summer season, do the opposite and set the thermostat to a higher setting than normal (75 to 80 degrees).
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Water Heating
- Install a new energy-efficient heat pump water heater. Energy-efficient heat pump water heaters cost more initially than standard water heaters; however, the energy savings will compensate throughout the life of the appliance.
- Fix leaky faucets, toilets, pipes, and water heaters.
- Turn the water heater off at the breaker if you’re going to be gone for a couple days or longer.
- Wash clothes in cool or cold water, providing garment instructions permit.
- Insulate water heaters located in unconditioned spaces with insulated “blankets,” which are available at local hardware or department stores.
- Wrap pipes going out of the tank with insulated coverings recommended by local hardware or department stores. The first six feet of both the hot and cold lines should be insulated.
- Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes.
- Rinse clothes in cold water.
- Don’t let the hot water run while shaving.
- Take quick, tepid showers rather than baths.
- Install aerators or water restrictors on faucets and showers.
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Air Sealing & Air Leaks
- Caulk or weather-strip anywhere there are air leaks in your home. Be sure to check the following spots for air leaks:
- central heating and cooling ductwork and registers
- doors
- windows
- lighting fixtures
- sill plates
- baseboards and interior trim
- plumbing penetrations (i.e. where pipes enter the house)
- attic entrance doors
- chimneys
- When the fireplace is not in use, keep the damper closed.
- Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on exterior walls.
- Cover window air-conditioning units during winter months and seal cracks with a mastic tape to prevent air leaks.
- Caulk or weather-strip anywhere there are air leaks in your home. Be sure to check the following spots for air leaks:
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Insulation
- Make sure insulation R-values are adequate. Recommended R-values are as follows: attic: R-38, walls: R-13, floors and attic knee walls: R-19.
- Make sure attic access doors and hatches are insulated and that weather-strip has been properly installed around door or hatch entries.
- Install insulated garage doors.
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Lighting
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs.
- Install dimmer switches.
- Open curtains and blinds to take advantage of the daylight.
- Make sure outdoor lighting is turned off during the day.
- Use task lighting for specific tasks rather than lighting the entire room.
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Living Habits & Appliances
- Purchase ENERGY STAR rated appliances. Always check energy guide labels and compare initial purchase prices against energy payback.
- Turn appliances (i.e. TV, radio, lights, etc.) off when not in use.
- Use smaller appliances in place of larger ones. For example, use a toaster oven for toasting, heating, and cooking small amounts of food.
- Make sure refrigerator and freezer door gaskets are properly sealed. Tip: If a dollar bill easily slips through a closed door, the appliance isn’t sealed properly.
- Keep refrigerator coils clean.
- Don’t leave the garage door open unnecessarily.
- Use the dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes. Properly loaded dishwashers use less water than washing by hand.
- Skip the dishwasher drying cycle and let dishes air dry.
- When using the dryer, only dry full loads, but be careful not to overload.
- Make sure outside dryer vents are clean and clear of obstruction.
- On warm, sunny days, hang clothes outside to dry.
- If you have a pool, consider installing a timer on the pool pump motor. Consult with your pool professional before installing.