Energy Conservation

Throughout your home and business:

• Turn off all lights that are not in use.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFLs (compact fluorescent lights). They use roughly 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer.
• Invest in dimmer switches and 3-way CFLs for manual lowering of light levels.
• Ensure that registers and vents are clean and unobstructed by furniture and carpeting.
• Keep unoccupied rooms closed.
• Install ceiling fans to circulate cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter.

Kitchen areas:

• Keep refrigerator, microwave and oven doors closed and make sure door seals are airtight.
• Keep range-top burners and reflectors clean so they can heat efficiently.
• Cover pans to boil water or heat food; it heats faster and uses less energy.
• Match the size of your pan to the size of the heating element to prevent heat loss.
• Cover liquids and foods in the refrigerator since moisture makes the compressor work harder.
• Run the dishwasher only when it's full.
• Only use the "rinse/hold" function on your dishwasher for heavy loads.
• After the rinse cycle, prop the dishwasher door open and let dishes air dry.

Office/Work Areas

• Use the "stand by" or "sleep" mode on computers and printers to save approximately 80% of energy used. For free software, visit www.energystar.gov/powermanagement.
• Completely turn off computers, printers, copiers, scanners and coffee pots at the end of the day.
• Unplug recharging adapters for laptops and cell phones as soon as they're fully charged.
• Use task lighting at your desk rather than lighting the entire room from overhead.

Living Areas

• At the end of the day, unplug all electronics and media to prevent vampire energy use.
• On sunny winter days, open blinds on south- and west-facing windows to improve solar (heat) gain; close them in the summer to reduce heat gain.
• At night, close blinds and curtains to prevent loss of heat and air conditioning.
• Place task lighting near places you read rather than using general overhead lighting.

Bathrooms

• When possible, take a shower instead of a bath since it tends to use less water.
• Use a water-saving showerhead and shorten showers as much as possible.
• When running small amounts of water from a faucet, use the cold knob/position. Using the hot knob may start the water heater even though hot water won't reach the faucet before you've turned it off.

Mechanicals and Misc.

• Replace furnace filters once a month, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Inspect and weatherize doors and windows each season; repair promptly.
• Seal air leaks in floors, soffits, ceilings, cabinets, ductwork, plumbing and electrical outlets.
• In winter, set the thermostat at 68°F or below during the day.
• Lower the water heater thermostat. 115°F is usually plenty for most homes.
• Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a timer so they will turn off during the day.

Energy Conservation Tips:

• Caulk or weather-strip doors and windows to seal out drafts.
• Close the drapes at night to help shield the cold.
• Set your water heater at 120 degrees.
• Let the sunshine in during sunny days.
• Make sure your windows have tight seals to keep out the cold.
• Have your systems checked once a year in the spring/summer time for maximum winter efficiency.
• Make sure the attic or roof space is well insulated. This will help cut heating costs and keep your house warmer in the winter.
• Keep windows clean! Dirty windows do not allow the full sunlight in to help warm the house.
• Open your front door as few times as possible... this lets out a massive amount of heat from the house.
• Turn radiator valves either completely on or off. Opening them partially does not regulate the heat output.
• Don't put anything on top of a radiator to block its heat output. Do not block the radiator with drapes.