Home Energy Saving Tips

These Home Energy Saving Tips will help you determine what you can do to make your home more energy efficient, more comfortable and help you save money.

Heating - Cooling

• Replace the air filters on your central heating system regularly.

• Limit the thermostat control setting for the furnace in the heating season to a maximum of 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Limit the thermostat control setting for the air conditioner in the cooling season to a minimum of 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Consider installation of programmable thermostat to maximize "setback" savings.

• Consider installing ceiling fans.

• Adding reflective film or sun screens to glass areas can result in energy savings when installed on east, south and west exposures.

• Planting trees and shrubs to provide shade while not obstructing natural ventilation can result in energy savings.

• Insulate ductwork and/or piping.

Building "Envelope"

• Insulate attic, outside walls, floors over crawl space, etc.

• Add insulation to attic access panels or pull down stairs.

• Install insulation in gaps around pipes, ducts, fans or other items which enter the attic or exit the house from a conditioned space.

• Install 1 square foot of attic ventilation per 300 square feet of attic space.

• Use outlet and switchplate gaskets to reduce air infiltration.

• Caulk, seal and weather strip around windows and doors.

Water Heating

• Set water heater thermostats to 115 - 120 degrees Fahrenheit (140 degrees if using a dishwasher not equipped with a temperature booster).

• Replace showerheads and faucets with type limiting flow to 2.5 gallons per minute.

• Reduce use of heater water for clothes washing.

• Turn off electric water heater at breaker or set back gas water heater to "pilot", "vacation", or lowest heat setting when your home is vacant for 2 days or more.

• Replace washers ("O - rings" in washerless faucets) where leaking. 

• Install insulating wrap for water heater. 

• Insulate hot water pipes.

Refrigerators/Freezers

• Clean refrigerator and freezer coils at least biannually.

• Check the gasket around your refrigerator door.  Close the door on a piece of paper.  If the paper slides out easily just adjust or replace the gasket.

• Use the "power - saver" switch if your refrigerator has one.  This turns off little heaters designed to prevent condensation in extremely humid climates.

• Eliminate use of underutilized second refrigerator / freezer and consolidate storage into primary appliance.

• Keep your refrigerator and freezer at the right temperature.  The refrigerator should be between 38 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Miscellaneous

• Use LED lights and lighting controls where appropriate.

Typical Appliance Energy Costs

These figures are ESTIMATES and do not apply to any specific make or model. Your actual costs will vary, however, they will give you a close idea of how much you spend. Refrigeration Air Conditioning use is based on an average use of 750 hours per season. Swamp Cooler use is based on an average of 1200 hours per season. Cost per kilowatt hour (KWH) used: 0.064.

There are a number of appliances in your home that consume small amounts of power or are not utilized for long periods of time. Under normal circumstances these appliances do not impact your bill in any significant way. The following list is representative of this type of appliance.