Tips for Energy Efficiency at Home
1. Switch to energy efficient
compact fluorescent light bulbs.
They use 75 percent less energy than standard light bulbs, and they can last
10 times as long. If you replace just 25 percent of your lights in high use
areas with fluorescence, you can save about 50 percent of your lighting energy
bill.
2. Unplug it when not
in use.
Televisions, CD players, microwaves and cell phone chargers (among others) use
energy even when they are plugged in and not in use or on standby.
3. Always wash full loads
of laundry and keep the water temperature low.
Reserve hot water for really dirty loads and always use cold water for the rinse
cycle. Appliances like the washer and dryer account for about 33 percent of
a home's energy bill. Using them less saves you money.
4. Clean the lint screen
on your dryer every time you use the machine.
Lint screens that are clogged use up to 30 percent more energy.
5. Close vents and doors
of rooms you are not using and seal around windows and doors.
Keeping heat centralized in the most used living areas will use less energy
because there is less space to heat. Caulking (sealing windows and doors) reduces
uncomfortable drafts and high utility bills.
6. Lower your thermostat
when not in your home.
When at home set your thermostat on 5 degrees lower than normal. Lowering the
thermostat by as little as 1o F typically reduces your heating bill 1-3 percent.
Make sure you lower your thermostat if you are leaving the house for any period
of time; you use much less energy to heat the house up when you return than
to keep it heated while you are away.
7. Make sure your refrigerator
door is well sealed.
Close the door on dollar bill. If it pulls out easily it's time to replace the
gasket. Cool air lost through a crack causes the refrigerator to consume more
energy in order to keep the temperature low enough.
8. Keep refrigerator
temperature between 36-38 degrees and the freezer between 0-5 degrees.
Check the refrigerator temperature using a thermometer in a glass of water.
Read it after 24 hours. These are the ideal ranges for keeping food fresh, while
not cooling to unnecessarily low temperatures resulting in a waste of energy
and money.
9. Use smaller appliances
whenever possible.
Microwaves, toaster ovens, and slow cookers can use 75 percent less energy than
a large electric oven. Cooking, combined with lighting and the energy use of
other appliances accounts for about 33 percent of a home's energy bill. Using
them less saves you money.
10. Switch to an energy-saving shower head.
A family of four, each taking a five minute shower daily with a energy-saving
shower head, can save up to $250 a year in heating costs.
More Tips For Energy Efficiency At Home
