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Energy Conservation For Your Home

Summer Conservation Tips: 

§         Turn your air conditioning off and use box fans to keep cool.

§         If you must use air-conditioning for health reason, increase the thermostat setting to 78 degrees.

§         Reduce the temperature setting on your hot water heater to 115 degrees.

§         Install high efficiency compact fluorescent light bulbs.

§         Keep south facing drapes and blinds closed during the day.

§         Turn off unnecessary lights, TVs, computers and other electric appliances when not in use. 

§         Wash your clothes in cold water and hang them on an outside line to dry. 

§         Run only full loads in your washing machine. 

§         Set the temperature in your refrigerator between 37 degrees F and 40degrees F.  Keep your freezer section at 5 degrees F. A refrigerator can be one of the biggest users of electricity in the home, often accounting for as much as 25% of a total monthly energy bill.

§         Use your microwave for cooking instead of your stove or oven. 

§         Unplug extra or unused appliances. 

Winter Conservation Tips:

§         Set your thermostat at or below 68 degrees during the winter months for heating.

§         Keep south facing drapes and blinds open during the day.

§         Refrain from heating unoccupied rooms if your heating system is designed to operate that way.

§         Install weather stripping on a drafty doors and windows.

General Conservation Tips:

§         Clean or replace furnace filters at least once a month.

§         Remove dryer lint every time and don’t over-dry clothes.

§         Let your dishes air dry; if you don’t have an automatic air dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open a little so dishes will dry faster. 

§         Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator.  Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.

§         Remove freezer frost when it exceeds ¼ inch thick.

§         Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean; they will reflect the heat, and you will save energy.

§         Use a covered kettle or pan to boils water; it’s faster and it uses less energy.

§         Close the damper when the fireplace is not in use. 

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