Energy Saving Tips

For Your Home
Using energy wisely can reduce consumption and waste, and save you money on energy bills. Check out these tips and start saving today:

Basic Energy-Saving Tips

• Use a programmable thermostat
• Use energy-efficient appliances and equipment
• Ensure proper home insulation
• Seal leaks and insulate duct work
• Change or clean filters regularly
• Install low-flow faucets and shower heads
• Use approved "wraps" to insulate water heaters and hot water pipes in unconditioned spaces
• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
• Turn off lights when leaving the room
• Wash clothes on a cold water cycle

Heating and Cooling Tips

• Check your furnace air filters every month
• Save about $180 a year with a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature for the hours that the house is unoccupied
• Caulk and weather-strip any doors and windows that leak air
• When buying windows, select those with both low U-values and low solar heat gain co-efficiency ratings (SHGC) to maximize energy benefits
• Use a ceiling fan in combination with your air conditioner in the warmer months and heaters in the cold months to help disperse air and circulate heat

Water Heaters

• Wrap older water heaters with approved insulating jackets
• Set your water heater thermostat to 120°F or lower
• Insulate your hot water pipes leaving

Appliances

• When washing clothes, wash and dry full loads
• Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load 
• Consider installing a high-efficiency natural gas dryer
• When shopping for a new clothes dryer, look for one with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off the machine when your clothes are dry
• Save on wasted water by fixing leaky faucets