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Warm
Weather Tips:
Save Money and Energy at Home |
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Learn
an energy-saving tip in a video from the Globeheads. |
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Introduce
your school or community group to energy conservation
concepts through our new Science Theater on
Tour show, Energenious! |
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 The
tips below are designed to help you choose effective
ways to reduce your energy bills in the heat of
summer. Some measures may not be relevant depending
on climate, the age of your home and appliances,
and past improvements to your home.
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Fast
and Free
Cutting
back unnecessary energy use is an easy way to
reduce energy consumption while saving money.
Here are some suggestions you can do at home,
at absolutely no cost to you.
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Turn
up your thermostat. Set your thermostat
to 78 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees
or off when you are away. Using ceiling or
room fans allows you to set the thermostat
higher because the air movement will cool
the room. Always take into account health
considerations and be sure to drink plenty
of fluids in warm weather. (Savings: 1 - 3%
per degree, for each degree the thermostat
is set above 72 degrees) |
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Use
your appliances wisely. To help prevent
electricity outages, avoid running your appliances
during peak hours—from 4p.m. to 6 p.m.—or
anytime an electricity emergency is declared.
- Do
your laundry efficiently by using the
warm or cold water setting for washing
your clothes. Always use cold water to
rinse clothes. (Savings: 4%).
- Line
dry clothes whenever you can. (Save up
to 5%)
- When
you need to use the dryer, run full loads,
use the moisture-sensing setting, and
clean the clothes dryer lint trap after
each use. (Savings: 0.5%)
- Conserve
energy by running your dishwasher only
when it is fully loaded, and turn off
the dry cycle and air dry dishes instead.
(Savings: 1%)
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Operate
swimming pool filters and cleaning sweeps
efficiently. Reduce the operating time
of your pool filter and automatic cleaning
sweep to 4 to 5 hours, and only during off-peak
time. (Savings: 1-2% per hour of reduction) |
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Eliminate
wasted energy.
- Turn
off appliances, lights and equipment when
not in use. (Savings: 2%)
- Unplug
electronic devices and chargers when they
aren't in use-most new electronics use
electricity even when switched "off."
Turn computers and printers off at the
power strip. (Savings: 1-2%)
- Unplug
or recycle that spare refrigerator in
the garage if you don't really need it.
This will save you $150 per year! (Savings:
10-20%)
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Inexpensive
Energy Solutions
Make a quick trip to your
local hardware store to purchase inexpensive
energy saving tools and equipment. |
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Replace
air conditioner filters. Dirty filters
restrict airflow and can cause the system
to run longer, increasing energy use. Replace
filters monthly for maximum benefit. (Savings:
1-2%) |
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Plug
your home's leaks. Weather-strip,
seal, and caulk leaky doors and windows,
and install foam gaskets behind outlet covers.
(Savings: up to 2%)
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Choose
Energy Star® products.
- Buy
Energy Star® certified table lamps and
light fixtures, and replace your incandescent
light bulbs that are used more than two
hours per day with Energy Star® compact
fluorescent bulbs. For example, install
compact fluorescent bulbs in your porch
light if you leave it on overnight. (Savings:
for each bulb you'll save 0.2% for each
hour the bulb operates on a typical day.
Therefore, replacing an incandescent bulb
that burns 10 hours per day will save 2%)
- Buy
Energy Star® certified torchieres. (Savings:
up to 1% for each hour/day that it's on)
- Install
an Energy Star® programmable thermostat.
(Savings: 1-3%)
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Good
Energy-Saving Investments
Planning to do some remodeling
soon? Time to replace old appliances? Consider
these energy efficiency suggestions when you
make purchases. |
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Install
a whole house fan. A whole house fan is
permanently installed in your attic and draws
cool air into your home through the windows
while forcing hot air out through your attic
vents. Use after sundown when the outside temperature
drops below 80 degrees, and in the early morning
to cool your house and help reduce your air
conditioning use. (Savings: up to 5%) |
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Install
window shading. Install patio covers, awnings,
and solar window screens to shade your home
from the sun. For additional future savings,
use strategically planted trees, shrubs and
vines to shade your home. (Savings: 5%) |
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Invest
in a new air conditioner unit. If your air
conditioner is on the way out, buy an Energy
Star® air conditioner. (Savings: up to 10%) |
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Seal
your ducts. Leaking ductwork accounts for
25% of cooling costs in an average home, so
have your ducts tested and have any leaks or
restrictions repaired by a qualified contractor.
Note: duct cleaning is not the same as duct
sealing. (Savings: 10 -20%) |
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Replace
your refrigerator with an Energy Star® model.
Refrigerators with a top or bottom freezer design
can save you an additional 2-3% on your bill
compared to a side-by-side design. (Savings:
10%) |
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Increase
attic insulation. If existing insulation
level is R-19 or less, consider insulating your
attic to at least R-30. (Savings: 10%) |
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Install
Energy Star® windows. If your windows
are due for replacement, Energy Star® windows
can make your house more comfortable year-round.
(Savings: up to 10%) |
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| *The
savings numbers are based on your total summer
electric bill. Equipment mentioned must be electric
powered for estimates to be accurate. |
Links
The
following Web sites have additional information
on home energy savings:
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*To
download or print the energy-saving tips, you will
need Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer.You can
download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free here.
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