Energy Saving Habits

Window

 

Adjust window treatments based on the season.

Close your curtains and blinds to keep rooms cooler during the summer. Take advantage of the sun's warmth in the winter. Open your curtains and blinds to allow sunlight in.

Adjust thermostat settings.

Consider increasing your usual thermostat setting by 2 degrees during the cooling season. A setting of 78 degrees or more will help ensure energy savings. Consider decreasing your usual thermostat setting by 2 degrees during the heating season. A setting of 68 degrees or less will help ensure energy savings.

thermostat

ceilingfan

Use ceiling fans to stay cool.

When you use ceiling fans to circulate the air in your home, you can usually raise or lower thermostat settings to save energy without sacrificing comfort. Make sure blades are set correctly/turning in the right direction for the season.

Wash and rinse your clothes in cold water.

Cold water cleans just as well with modern detergents and can save a substantial amount of energy.

washer

water_heater_jacket

Turn off your electric water heater when going out of town.

Save money by turning off the water heater breaker in your electrical panel or turning off the unit. Most water heaters are capable of reheating the water to the set temperature in about an hour.

Raise your cooling temperature when no one will be home.

Increase your air conditioning setting by at least four degrees when you'll be away from home for four hours or more. Set your programmable or smart thermostat to do this automatically, if you work away from home each day.

thermostat-1

powerstrip

Unplug/turn off computers & electronics at night.

Most still use small amounts of power even when they are in a standby or low-power setting. Turn computers and electronics off when away for 20 minutes or more. Adjust power management settings for inactivity.

Turn off lights when not in use.

Whether leaving the room for a few minutes or a few hours, there is no better method for eliminating lighting costs than simply shutting the lights off.

lightswitch

window lock

Ensure windows are locked when closed.

Locking windows helps to create a tighter seal, reducing cool air loss in the summer and cold air infiltration in the winter.