Energy Saving Ideas |
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.
Keeping Warm |
- Follow manufacturers recommendation for
proper maintenance of your heating system. When
not available:- 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. - Boiler
– Check for steam or
water leaks.
– Check the water level.
– Check the pressure.
– Dust radiators regularly.
- Forced Air Furnace
- 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
arent 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.
Keeping Cool |
- 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.
Using Appliances Wisely |
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 foodup 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 manufacturers 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.
Additional Energy Savers |
- 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.