Everyday Tips

 

Live an energy efficient lifestyle

 

• Light only the area where you are working, not the whole room.
• Turn off lights and appliances when they are not being utilized.
• Close vents in rooms that are not being used on a regular basis and close the door.
• Run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines.
• Choose stove burner to fit the size of the pan you are using.

 

Seal up your home

 

• Insulate! Check the attic, outside walls, walls next to unheated areas, floors above unheated areas, foundation walls. We recommend R-38 (about 12 inches) in ceilings and R-19 (about 6 inches) in floors over unheated spaces.
• Insulate ducts where they run through cold areas.
• Install storm windows and doors or use plastic sheeting.
• Weatherstrip and caulk! Check for drafts around windows, door frames, foundation cracks, electrical outlets, etc.
  
• Don't block radiators and vents (including cold air returns) with furniture, drapes or rugs.
• Insulated attics need proper ventilation so they can 'breathe'.
  

 

Maintain electrical equipment

 

• Maintain your heating and cooling system by replacing air filters often and doing regular maintenance.
• Buy energy efficient appliances and use them efficiently.
• Clean dust and lint away from appliances (heating/cooling unit, refrigerators, hot water heaters, etc.) on a regular basis so the motors run more efficiently.
• When choosing new appliances, base your decision on what your needs are - don't buy something too big for your needs.
• Consider moving your extra refrigerator or freezer out of the garage to the basement and your appliance won't have to work so hard to stay cool.
• Make sure gaskets on the doors of refrigerators and stoves are tight.
  

 

Windows and doors

 

• Repair broken or cracked glass and putty older windows; check to see that windows close properly and window locks pull sashes together.
• Make sure doors close properly; repair or replace non-working doorknobs, latches and striker plates.
• Weatherstrip windows, doors and attic accesses; caulk the frames around windows and doors from the inside using a clear, pliable caulk.
• Open window shades that receive direct sunlight during the day.
• Close shades at night.
• Set the thermostat at 68 degrees and lower the setting a few degrees at night, or when home is unoccupied.
• Wear layers of clothing and use extra blankets.
• Keep fireplace chimney dampers closed when not using the fireplace.
  

 

Other air leaks

 

• If the fireplace is used infrequently, use a chimney block to eliminate heat loss.
• Caulk foundation cracks and openings. Make sure kitchen and bathroom vent dampers close properly.
• Install automatic setback thermostats that adjust the heat to your schedule.
• Insulate attics (especially attics with less than seven inches of insulation), walls, and flooring over unheated crawl spaces or basements.
• Install exterior storm windows, including cellar storm windows. For windows that are rarely opened, consider installing interior storm windows.
• Replace standard curtains with tight sealing, insulated or quilted window coverings.

Seasonal Tips

 

Summer tips

 

• Install energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. They give off less heat and use as much as 75 percent less energy than regular bulbs.
• If you have a fireplace, keep the damper tightly closed when not in use.
• Because the air conditioner is usually the largest energy user in your home, limiting its use will have the most effect on your bills.
• Check your air conditioning filter at least once a month and clean or replace if dirty.
• Check the accuracy of the thermostat by placing a thermometer next to the thermostat and comparing the readings for room temperature. You may be cooling your home more than you think.
• Set the thermostat no lower than 78 degrees and turn it up a few degrees when the house is unoccupied.
• Make sure the weather stripping around doors and windows is in good condition and replace if necessary.
• Keep doors and windows closed when the air conditioning is on.
• Consider window fans, ceiling fans or whole-house fans, which use much less power, as an alternative to air conditioners.
• Close your blinds, shades or draperies during the hottest part of the day.
  Shut off your air conditioner if you leave home for an extended period of time.
• Try to use the oven, dishwasher and other appliances that produce heat during the late evening and early morning.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.

 

Winter tips

 

• Turn down thermostats automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. You can cut annual heating bills by as much as 10 percent per year by turning your thermostat back 10 percent to 15 percent for eight hours per day.
• Change or clean heating equipment filters once a month during the heating season. Use receipt of your energy bill as a reminder.
• Warm air rises, so use registers to direct warm airflow across the floor.
• Close vents and doors in unused rooms and close dampers on unused fireplaces.
• Set water heater temperatures at 120 degrees. A family of four, each showering for five minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water each week. By lowering the thermostat on the water heater to 120 degrees, families can cut water heating bills without sacrificing comfort.
• Insulate electric water heaters with insulation "blankets," in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. Blankets are not recommended for gas water heaters. Insulating water heaters and turning down the unit's thermostat to 120 degrees can help you save money, since water-heating is a typical family's third-largest energy expense, accounting for about 14 percent of utility bills.
• On sunny days, open draperies and blinds to let the sun's warmth in. Close them at night to insulate against cold air outside.
  
  

Long-term Improvements

 

• Conduct a National Energy Audit to determine specific conservation needs for your home or business.
• Check to see if attic and basement have the recommended levels of insulation.
• Check the heating system and replace old, outdated appliances with energy efficient natural gas models. When buying new appliances, compare energy efficiency ratings and annual operating costs.
• Install storm or thermal windows and doors or double-paned glass. A less expensive alternative is plastic sheeting, which can be temporarily fastened over doors and windows to prevent drafts and retain heat.