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Guide
to energy efficiency and conservation
Please follow the links for more information on a
topic
Heating
Check,
change, or clean your air filters monthly during heavy winter use.
Have your equipment checked once a year by a
qualified heating and cooling dealer.
To lower winter heating costs, set your thermostat
at the lowest comfortable setting. A comfortable, cost-effective
range is 66°F and 68°F. Each degree higher can add
substantially to your heating costs.
Before raising the thermostat, try putting on a
sweater or sleeping with an extra blanket.
Don't block air registers or air grills with
furniture, draperies or carpets.
Take advantage of nature's warmth by opening
shades and curtains when the sun is shining. Keep them closed at
night and on cloudy days.
Weather-strip and caulk your windows and doors, Seal and insulate
your home
Cooling
Have your air
conditioning checked by a qualified heating and cooling expert each
year before summer starts to make sure your system is operating at
peak efficiency.
Change or clean your air exchange filter at least
once a month during the cooling season. A dirty filter chokes air
flow and forces your equipment to work harder, causing higher energy
bills.
Set your thermostat at the highest comfortable
setting. A comfortable, cost-effective range is between 78°F and 80°F.
Each degree lower can add substantially to your cooling costs.
Wait until evening to bake, bathe, run your
dishwasher or operate other appliances that add heat and humidity to
the house.
Operate the exhaust fan when you are cooking or
showering.
According to the Department of Energy, using a
ceiling fan allows you to raise your thermostat setting about 4
degrees with no reduction in comfort
Water
Heating and Conservation
Set your
water heater thermostat to 120°F.
A well-insulated tank will use less energy to keep
water hot.
Don't use hot water in situations where cold water
works just as well.
For additional savings, consider purchasing a
high-efficiency heat pump water heater or heat recovery unit. Both
are considerably more economical to operate than conventional water
heaters.
Solar
hot water heaters can reduce your hot water heating bill
Wash clothes in cold
water
Run full loads in the washing
machine and dishwasher
If available, use the energy savings
settings on your dishwasher
and washing
machine
Consider air drying your clothes.
saves energy, money and keeps your clothes lasting longer.
Take a shorter shower
Computer Equipment:
Learn how to set power
management on your computer
Buy a Climate Savers certified energy
efficient computer
Plug your computer peripherals
(printer, scanner, speakers, fax machine) into a powerstrip and
power down when not in use.
Electronics and Home Appliances:
Turn down the brightness on your TV and computer monitor
Look for and purchase ENERGY
STAR appliances and electronics
Consider replacing that old, second refrigerator in the basement
- Use This calculator
to determine how much energy your refrigerator is using
Plug home electronics into a powerstrip and turn off when not in
use. Or unplug appliances that you rarely use - when was the last
time you used that VCR?
Don't keep your refrigerator and freezer too cold. Set
temperature between 36-38 degrees F and freezers at 0-5 degrees.
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