Energy saving tips

Getting started - free and low cost ways to save energy

• Turn off everything not in use: lights, TVs, computers, etc.
• Check your furnace or air conditioner filter each month. Dirty filters block air flow through your heating and cooling systems, increasing energy use.
• During hot months, keep window coverings closed on the south, east, and west windows. In winter, let the sun in.
• Activate "sleep" features on computers and office equipment that power down when not in use for a while. Turn off equipment during longer periods of non-use.
• Dress appropriately for the weather, and set your thermostat to the lowest possible comfortable setting. On winter nights, put an extra blanket on the bed and turn down your thermostat.
• In summer, use fans whenever possible instead of air conditioning . Using fans to supplement air conditioning allows you to raise the thermostat temperature, using less energy. Fans use less energy than air conditioning.
• About 15% of an average home energy bill goes to heating water. To save hot water, take five-minute showers instead of baths. Do only full loads when using the clothes washer or dishwasher.
• Lower the temperature on your water heater so that you are not having to add cold water to shower.
• Switch to cold water washing of laundry. Use detergent formulated for cold water to get clothes just as clean.
• Only heat or cool the rooms you need. Close vents and doors of unused rooms.
• Install low flow showerheads and sink aerators to reduce hot water use.
• Seal and weatherstrip your windows and doors to ensure that you're not wasting energy on heat or air conditioning that escapes through leaks to the outdoors.
• Insulation your hot water tank to keep the heat from escaping.
• Look for energy efficiency labels when buying new products such as TVs, furnaces, cell phones, refrigerators and air conditioners.
• Replace your five most used light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. These light bulbs use two-thirds less energy and last up to 10 times longer.