Energy Saving Tips

Heating and Cooling

Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer and 68 degrees or lower in the winter. See how the savings add up with our Thermostat Chart
Get your heating and air conditioning unit serviced every year. Servicing typically includes a check on refrigerant levels, the compressor, hoses, ductwork, and the thermostat.
Clean or replace air filters monthly.
Invest in a programmable thermostat.
Make sure your thermostat is not located near lamps or electronic appliances which put off heat and can make your air conditioner run longer.
Use a ceiling fan to circulate air down in the summer months.
Use our Heat Pump Calculator to consider the savings potential of replacing your old unit with a new high efficiency system.

Find out how much energy the appliances in your home use with our Appliance Calculator. It can add up to about 20% of your total consumption.
Take the dollar bill test. Close your refrigerator door on a dollar bill and then try to pull it out. If the dollar comes out easily you may need new seals or a new refrigerator.
Plan what you need inside the refrigerator before you open the door.
Set your fridge at 40 degrees.
Let food cool before putting it in the refrigerator. Hot foods will raise the temperature in the fridge and make it work harder.
Consider cooking outside on a grill during summer months. Using an oven makes your home hotter.
Wash full loads of clothes and use cold water when possible.
Don’t overload the dryer.
Clean the dryer lint filter before each load.
Don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s completely full.
Purchase Energy Star certified appliances and electronics. Compare the energy costs of LCD, DLP, Plasma, and traditional tube televisions using our TV Calculator.
Find and reduce phantom loads around your home.

Use energy-efficient Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs). They cost more to purchase, but use one-quarter as much energy as incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Calculate your savings with our CFL Calculator.
Keep light fixtures and bulbs clean. Dust absorbs 50% of light.
Turn off any unused lights.

Click on a room in the Interactive Home to find where and how energy is used.

In the summer, close drapes in East/West facing windows to block out heat and reduce your cooling load. In the winter, take advantage of the sun's warmth and open drapes in south facing windows.
Seal up leaks by weather-stripping doors and caulking windows.
Install foam insulators behind outlet covers on exterior walls.
Close the fireplace damper when you aren’t using it.
If your water heater is in an unheated space, wrap it in an insulation blanket to prevent it from losing heat.
Turn the water heater off if you are going to be gone more than three days.
Use less hot water by installing low flow showerheads.
Repair leaky faucets. A drip can waste up to 48 gallons of water in one week.
Landscaping can provide shade to your home and significantly reduce your cooling costs.