Energy Saving Tips

Electricity works hardest to heat and cool our homes.  Here are some simple tips to help reduce your energy use.

Summer

• If you have air conditioning, set your thermostat to 78 degrees.
• Block sunlight entry to your home with curtains and shades.
• Open windows at night then close by mid-morning to hold in cool air.
• Turn off lights, appliances, televisions and computers when not in use.
• Wash full loads of clothes in cold water and dry outdoors.
• Cancel the drying cycle on your dishwasher and let items air dry.
• Plant shade trees on the west and south sides of house. Use trees that lose their leaves in winter so you can benefit from solar gain through those windows.
• Have your A/C or heat pump serviced regularly to maintain its best efficiency and capacity.  Check furnace filters often.

Winter

• Set your home's thermostat at 68 degrees or a temperature that's comfortable.
• Check the weather stripping on exterior doors and windows. Adjust or replace it if you can see light around the door.
• Replace incandescent lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs and fixtures.
• Use timers, photo cells and motion sensors to reduce the operating hours of interior or exterior lights left on for security purposes.
• Close drapes in the evening and on overcast days to help retain heat.  Make sure drapes don't obstruct heat registers.
• Make sure your foundation vents are closed. If your vents do not close, taping a piece of plastic on the outside will help considerably. This will keep your home warmer and help protect against frozen water pipes.

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