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Energy savings tips

Stay comfortable while conserving energy, no matter what the season.


Summer

The easiest way to keep your home cool is to prevent it from heating up in the first place. Good insulation, caulking and weather stripping help regulate the temperature inside. Shade trees, overhangs and awnings help, too.

Here are some no-cost and low-cost conservation tips:


Air conditioning / cooling

- Set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. You'll save around 5 to 10 percent on cooling costs for every two degrees you raise the temperature.

- Adjust ceiling fans to turn counter-clockwise in the summer.

- Use fans instead of central air conditioning whenever possible. A fan costs about 90% less to operate.

- Change the air filter regularly. An air conditioning unit with dirty filters can use 5-10% more energy. In general, HVAC system air filters should be replaced once a month. However, since there are different types of filters, you should check your manufacturer’s recommendation regarding replacement. You can find your filter in the return air register (may be on the wall or ceiling) or on the HVAC unit itself.

- Clean the condenser coils. Make sure your AC system is off at the thermostat. Then, clean the outdoor coils with a garden hose by gently washing in a downward angle (only if on the ground). For a deeper clean, you can spray the coils with a mild cleaning solution and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.

- Clean the evaporator coils. This is quite easy and can be done in 5 steps:

      Turn off your AC system.
      Mix warm water and a mild cleaning solution.
      Open the panel with the evaporator coil in it.
      Spray the cleaner on the coils and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
      Gently wipe away dirt and debris with a soft cloth.

Appliances

- Use your oven, stove, dishwasher, dryer, washing machine and other heat-producing appliances early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.

- Get rid of your older-model refrigerator or freezer, especially if you have an extra one in your garage.

Cooking

- Prepare cold meals or put your grill to work.

- Microwaves use less than half the power of a conventional oven. Consider using your microwave to cook or reheat your dinner during peak hours.

More ways to save

- Keep windows, blinds and draperies closed to keep the heat out.

- Turn off unnecessary lights.

Check out our free Shade Tree program to lower your energy costs and improve air quality.

Winter

For every two degrees that you lower your thermostat during the winter, you save about 10% on the operating cost of your heater.

Here are some cool-weather conservation tips:


Heating

- Set the thermostat to 68 degrees, and lower it to 55 degrees at night or when no one's home.

- Program your thermostat so you don't have to remember to change the setting.

- If you have a heat pump, set the lower temperature to 63 degrees. Heat pumps are designed to maintain temperatures within a narrower range.

- Have a licensed HVAC contractor check your ducts if you notice little or no air coming out of vents, or if some rooms are colder than others. (Check out our heating and cooling rebates.)

- Get your heating system professionally checked once a year, and change the air filters regularly.

- Keep vents open and air flowing. Closing doors and room vents puts extra strain on the central heating system.

Appliances

- Use portable heaters only in rooms that don't get enough heat, or if your home doesn’t have a central heating system. Remember to turn them off when the room’s not in use.

- Never use propane heaters, hibachis, barbecues—or any heater with an open flame—indoors. They produce carbon monoxide, a clear, odorless gas that can be fatal to humans and animals.

More ways to save

- Open drapes and shades on sunny days to let in the sun's heat; close them at night and on cloudy days.

- Cover your fireplace and close the damper when you're not using it.

- Dress in layers and add a blanket to your bed.

Year Around

No matter what the season, you'll save money by saving energy.


Water heaters

- Wrap your water heater with a water heater blanket to keep heated water warm.

- Set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees.

- Install low-flow showerheads and fix any leaky faucets.

Weatherization

- If your house is more than 15 years old, check the insulation in the attic and floor.

- Check the weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows. Up to 20% of the heat or cool air inside a typical house is lost through the windows.

- Curtains or blinds can act as additional insulation for windows, or can be opened to let in the sun’s heat.

Lighting

- Consider replacing any incandescent bulbs or compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in your home with energy-efficient LEDs.

- Install light-sensitive controls or timers to automatically turn off lights when they're not needed.

- Choose solar-powered lights for your yard.

- Use desk lamps to focus the light where you actually need it, rather than wasting energy lighting the entire room.

Appliances

- When you're not using lights and appliances, turn them off or unplug them if possible.

- Use smart strips so you can easily turn off multiple appliances at once.

- Use dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers only when they’re full.

- Avoid using appliances during the peak hours of 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., when demand for electricity is highest.

- Clean the coils at the back or bottom of your refrigerator to keep it running efficiently.

- Keep in mind that every time you open the refrigerator door, the compressor has to run for 8 to 10 minutes to cool it down again.

- Replace appliances with an Energy Star® model—they’re up to 40% more efficient than older models.

Vacation tips

- In summer, set your air conditioner thermostat at 85 degrees or higher. In colder weather, set your heater to 60 degrees or lower.

- Put lights on a timer to save energy and give the house a "lived in" look.

- Draw the drapes on windows facing south and west.

- Shift your water heater to the lowest setting.

- Check to make sure no faucets inside or out are dripping.

Around the house

Money-saving tips for your home.


Home Energy Reports

How much energy do you use?

Get a customized Home Energy Report that illustrates your energy use and compares it to homes in your neighborhood most like yours. This tool also provides personalized energy saving tips. Have your account number ready, custom reports require log-in.

Click here to access your Home Energy Report

Thermostat settings

Even when no one is home, your heating and cooling systems are still using energy to maintain the temperature set on your thermostat. By adjusting your thermostat a few degrees during peak hours, you can save on heating and cooling costs.


Recommended temperature settings:


Cooling temps


Smart thermostats

Smart thermostats learn your preferences and habits and can create a custom temperature schedule. You can also create your own schedule. Smart thermostats can help reduce your home energy use and lower your energy bills.

Plus, most smart thermostats can be easily controlled from anywhere and many offer reports that help you manage your energy use.

Programmable thermostats

Programmable thermostats automatically adjust the thermostat temperature at different times of the day, according to a schedule that you select. For example, if you’re away from your home during the day, you can program your heating and air conditioning systems to warm your home or cool it down automatically before you return.