Heating and Cooling Tips
- Install a programmable thermostat and set your thermostat to adjust the temperature during the hours you're not home.
- Clean your air filters or replace them as often as necessary to ensure it runs efficiently.
- Using fans to create a cooling breeze will allow you to raise your thermostat setting and still keep your home comfortable in the summer months.
- During the summer, close your blinds or shades over windows facing south and west during the day to minimize the heat brought in by sunlight.
- Use white blinds or shades to deflect light away from your home.
- Stop air leaks by sealing, caulking, or weather stripping drafty windows and doors.
- Close fireplace dampers when not in use to prevent warm air from escaping.
Appliances
- Use the warm and cold water setting on your washer, which use significantly less energy than hot water.
- Set your dryer to use low heat and remove the lint in the dryer filter after every run to improve efficiency.
- Only run full loads in the washer, dryer and dishwasher; they use the same amount of energy regardless of how full the load is.
- Set your dishwasher to use a cool air dry, or skip the drying cycle all together and air dry your dishes.
- Turn off electronics and unplug battery chargers when not in use.
- Keep your refrigerator temperature setting at 37 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer 3 degrees Fahrenheit, the most energy efficient temperatures.
Home Improvement
- Replace traditional light bulbs with CFLs which use less energy and have a lower heat output.
- Insulate your hot water pipes to prevent heat loss and lower your water heater setting.
- Replace old appliances with Energy Star energy efficient appliances.
- Replace old windows with high-performance windows that have a low U-value, low solar heat gain co-efficiency and an air leakage rating of 0.3 cubic feet per minute or less.
- Conduct an at home energy assessment to determine if you have air leaks and the appropriate level of insulation.
- Planting trees near your home will provide shade and reduce your cooling costs during the summer.
For more energy saving tips, check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s website.