Energy Saving Tips

Lower bills and higher efficiency.

  • Visit www.powertochoose.org to determine your best kW/h rate.
  • Seal your attic access with weather stripping.
  • Increase your attic insulation.
  • Replace your a/c and heating filters at least once a month.
  • Replace standard light bulbs with energy efficient (CFL) lighting for frequently used lights (especially security).
  • Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
  • Turn up the temperature in the summer (78 degrees).
  • Turn down the temperature in the winter (68 degrees).
  • Use a programmable set-back thermostat. (Turn the temperature to 85 at night and when you’re not home.)
  • Lower the water temperature in hot water heater.
  • Unplug “spiders” when not in use. (Spiders are transformers used to recharge batteries or for low voltage toys or electronic equipment such as radios.)
  • Turn off your TV and appliances.
  • If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper is closed. (This can save 8%.)
  • Close all the shades, curtains, and drapes on the south, east, and west sides of the house on hot days.
  • Microwave ovens use around 50% less energy than conventional ovens do.
  • Don’t keep your doors open longer than necessary.
  • Don’t keep the refrigerator door open longer than necessary.
  • Turn off all ceiling fans when not in use.
  • Caulk penetrations through exterior walls such as dryer and plumbing vents, phone and cable lines, and water and gas pipes.
  • Install a sweep to the inside bottom edge of your doors.
  • Add weather-stripping to any sliding glass doors.
  • Install a tight-fitting glass door unit over the fireplace opening.
  • Install foam gaskets (available at hardware stores) behind drafty switch and receptacle cover plates.
  • Caulk around the outside of the window frames and weather-strip between the sash.
  • Never use duct tape to seal the duct joints. In time, the tape will fall off. Seal duct joints with mastic, then wrap insulation around the ducts.
  • Caulk the area where the duct goes through the ceiling to meet the register. This is an area that often has gaps.
  • Hire a qualified HVAC contractor to clean and tune up your system once a year.
  • Partially or completely close register dampers in rooms that are seldom used.
  • Add a pre-cut insulation blanket to the outside of your water heater.