Energy Saving Idea Fact Sheet

Weatherization

• Caulk around windows and door frames.
• Weatherstrip window and doors.
• Insulate attic floor to R-38 to 44.
• Provide adequate ventilation for circulation in
  your attic.
• Seal bypasses (air leaks).
• Plant trees for a windbreak and sun protection.

• Follow manufacturer’s recommendation for
  proper maintenance of your heating system. When
  not available:
  1. Forced Air Furnace
     – Check for
     proper flue exhaust operation
     – Check flue pipes for signs of rust,
     corrosion or holes.
     – Oil the blower and motor (if
     recommended by manufacturer).
     – Check filters monthly and change as
     needed.
     – Clean humidifier at beginning of
     heating season.
     – Check ducts and repair leaks or
     separations, insulate if in an unheated
     area.
  2. Boiler
     – Check for steam or
     water leaks.
     – Check the water level.
     – Check the pressure.
     – Dust radiators regularly.
• Place thermostat on an inside wall away from any
  heating or cooling source.
• Keep thermostat set at 65°F to 68°F during the
  day and 58°F at night or when you will be gone
  four hours or longer.
• Lower your thermostat setting to 55°F during
  winter vacations or long periods away from home.
• Keep furniture or other obstructions away from
  radiators or forced air vents.
• On sunny days, open window shades or draperies to
  let the sun warm the house. Other times, keep
  window coverings closed to insulate against cold
  outside air.
• Insulate shades or draperies or hang liners
  behind draperies.
• Keep fireplace damper closed when not in use.
• Keep basement, garage or attic doors which
  connect with the house, closed if these areas
  aren’t heated.
• Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans sparingly.
• Place reflective or foil-covered fire retardant
  boards behind radiators, with spacers between
  board and wall, to reflect more heat into rooms.
• Close doors to unused rooms.
• Plug cold air leaks around permanently installed
  window air conditioner. If the grille plate is
  removable, tuck in cloth or plastic to shut off
  drafts; be sure to remove before turning on the
  unit.
• Stretch plastic tightly over the inside of
  windows to reduce cold air infiltration.
• Humidify is necessary. Dry air evaporates skin
  moisture and makes you feel chilly. Adequate
  humidity makes lower temperatures feel more
  comfortable.

• Keep temperature difference between indoors and
  outdoors no more than 15°.
• Shade windows from direct sun in summer with
  awnings and trees.
• Apply tinted plastic film to windows in summer.
  It reduces solar heat gain and makes lighter work
  for your air conditioner.
• Keep cooling system clean; this includes filters,
  fans, ducts, vents and thermostats. Clean or
  change the filter monthly during the heating and
  cooling seasons. Keep condensation drain open.
• Adjust registers to promote upward air flow.
• Keep outdoor cooling unit clean; remove leaves
  and debris and clean exposed coils with a garden
  hose.
• Do not block circulation of air from vents or
  cold air returns with furniture or draperies.

Range

Oven/Broiler

• Preheat oven five to ten minutes for pastries and
  foods that rise such as cakes and breads. It is
  not necessary to preheat for meats and
  casseroles.
• Gas broiling is smokeless; broil with the door
  closed. Infrared broilers to not need preheating.
• Bake multiple recipes and freeze the extras for
  later use.
• Avoid opening the oven door; it can cause a
  temporary temperature loss of as much as 50°.
• Never use your oven to warm the kitchen; it was
  not designed for space heating. Using your oven
  in this way could damage the oven and cause
  formation of carbon monoxide.

Top Burners

• Cook on HIGH only when necessary. When food
  begins to boil, lower the flame to the smallest
  flame needed to maintain a gentle boil.
• Fit the flame to the pan size.
• Cover pans whenever possible.
• Cook foods in the least amount of water
  necessary.
• If burner flame is yellow, ports (holes) and/or
  gratesmay need cleaning.

Microwave

• The microwave is most efficient for small
  quantities of food–up to 2 cups.

Water Heater

• Insulate hot water pipes that run through cold
  areas.
• Drain a few pails of water from the faucet at the
  bottom every month to remove sediment.
• Control the temperature setting. Generally,
  120°F is the best setting for most laundry and
  kitchen needs. Unless your dishwasher heats its
  own water, your water heater thermostat must be
  set at 140°F to activate dishwasher detergent.
  120°F also protects against scalding injuries.
• Fix leaky faucets or toilet tanks. A small leak
  can waste as much as 3,280 gallons of water a
  year.
• Avoid long showers and full tub baths.
• Install a controlled-flow shower head to cut down
  on hot water use.
• Run garbage disposal with cold water.

Laundry

• When convenient, wash and dry full loads.
• Use cold water rinse whenever possible.
• Clean lint filter screen after each dryer load.
• Dry fabrics only as much as necessary.
• Vent dryer to the outside.
• Place dryer in a warm area of the home.
• Run consecutive loads when possible.
• Separate lightweight fabrics from heavyweight
  fabrics.
• Use the "automatic cycle" if your dryer
  has one.
• When replacing, consider a large-capacity dryer.

Dishwasher

• Wash only full loads.
• Scrape food particles from dishes but do not
  rinse.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on
  loading.
• Keep filter screen clean.
• Shut off dishwasher before it goes into the
  drying cycle; then open the door and let dishes
  air dry; or use the energy-saver air-dry option
  if your dishwasher has one.
• Use the proper amount of detergent. Too much or
  too little detergent reduces efficiency.

Refrigerator

• Allow space around the unit for good air
  circulation.
• Defrost the freezer before ice builds up to 1/4
  inch thick.
• Set the refrigerator at highest temperature that
  will keep food from spoiling: 40°F for
  refrigerator, 0°F for freezer.
• Check seal on refrigerator door. Replace if
  necessary. Open and close refrigerator as little
  as possible, especially during hot weather.

• Turn off lights and TV when rooms are unoccupied.
• Keep light bulbs clean. Even a thin film of dust
  reduces their efficiency.
• Fluorescent bulbs use less energy than
  incandescent bulbs; they give more light and last
  longer.
• Cut down on electrical energy use during the
  "peak hours" of 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., where
  applicable.
• Check the Energyguide labels when shopping for
  new appliances. Improved design and materials
  make new major appliances much more efficient.