Energy Saving Tips to Put to Use Today
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Typical Usage of Appliances
By saving energy you can cut your household costs and help protect the environment at the same time. The recommendations below will start you on the road to saving. You can implement these simple, low-cost measures and practices yourself!
- Clean or replace your air conditioner filters monthly.
- Set your home thermostat between 76 and 78 degrees.
- Turn off your air conditioner if you leave your home for more than two or three hours.
- Consider installing a programmable thermostat that will automatically set your thermostat back during the times that your home is unoccupied.
- Have your system serviced regularly to keep it in top operating condition.
- Caulk and weather-strip windows, doors and other openings to reduce drafts.
- Keep windows, doors and other openings closed and shaded when sun shines upon them.
- Shade all windows or glass doors from the outside with awnings, plants, blinds and overhangs to stop radiation of sun into your living area. Interior shading is not recommended because sun energy that has entered the house is heat that your air conditioner must overcome.
- Insulate your attic space in order to reduce convection of heat through the ceiling into the living area (attic space can be 15-30 degrees hotter than the ambient temperature).
- Install attic exhaust fans to remove hot air from attic space.
- Wrap an insulation blanket around your water heater. Keys Energy Services can provide you with an insulating blanket during a home energy survey.
- Set the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees (140 degrees if you use a dishwasher).
- Install low flow shower heads and faucet aerators to decrease the amount of hot water you use.
- Turn your water heater off if you leave for more than two days.
- Consider energy efficiency when purchasing new appliances. Look for appliances labeled with the energy star logo.
- Turn off appliances, such as the TV, when they're not being used.
- Wash and rinse clothes in cold water.
- Clean refrigerator and freezer coils regularly.
- Check seals on refrigerator and freezer door gaskets.
- Use pressure cookers and microwave ovens to save energy and reduce cooking time.
- When you have a choice, use the rangetop rather than the oven.
- Turn off the dry cycle on your dishwasher.
- Turn off lights in unused rooms.
- Install compact fluorescent bulbs wherever you can. Although they are initially more expensive, your savings in electricity costs will pay for the bulb in about a year.
- Replace standard fluorescent lamps and ballasts with T-8 lamps and electronic ballasts.
- Remove unnecessary bulbs.
- Install photocells or motion detectors on outdoor security lights.
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