Top 10 Energy Saving Tips

10 Quick Easy Energy Saving Tips

1. Make Your Home More Efficient. Perform an energy audit on your home and install the recommended improvements, such as air sealing and insulation.
2. Lower the Thermostat. Each degree a thermostat is turned down (around the clock) in the winter equates to a cost savings of roughly three percent on your energy bill. Programmable thermostats can help to manage your home’s temperature by consistently changing the setting whenever you want-even if you are asleep or at work.
3. Plug Up Air Leaks. Focus on plugging air leaks in the attic, where warm air escapes, and in the basement, where cold air enters the home.
4. Heat Only Space You Use. Close off unneeded rooms, but ensure water pipes have adequate insulation or heat and don’t freeze.

1. Let the Sun Shine In. Open the window shades on the south and west side of the house during the day to maximize the warmth of the sun, and close them at night.
2. Fix Drafty Windows and Doors. Caulk around window frames and use weather stripping and door sweeps on doors. Use storm windows and put up interior window plastic, available in kits at hardware stores.
3. Clean Up. Keep the area near registers, radiators, air returns and baseboards clear and dust-free. Vacuum or dust radiators and baseboards often and be sure they’re not blocked by furniture and carpets.
4. Close Dampers When You’re Not Using The Fireplace. An open fireplace damper pulls warm air (air you’ve paid to heat) from the house, even when there is no fire.
5. Tune Up Your Equipment. If your heating or hot water equipment has not been serviced recently, make sure it is cleaned and adjusted to operate as efficiently and safely as possible.Save Electricity. Replace your standard incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent bulbs. Plug TVs, VCRs, fax machines, computers, printers, etc. into a power strip and just turn them off.