Energy Saving Tips

Try these energy savings tips at home:

Appliances

Use flat-bottom pans that match the size of the surface unit.
Foods in covered cookware retain heat better and will cook at a lower temperature.
Turn elements off a few minutes ahead of schedule and allow retained heat to cook.

Preheat only when necessary.
Defrost foods before baking or roasting to save up to 50% of the total cooking time.
Rely on your oven thermostat and recipe time. Opening the oven door can lose up to 20% of the heat.
Use extra oven space to cook food to be used later.
In many cases, microwave ovens use less electricity than conventional ovens for a given cooking job because they cook faster at a lower wattage.

A defrosted refrigerator or freezer operates more efficiently than one that is ice-encrusted.
Door gaskets should provide a tight seal. Replace gaskets that have become hard or out of shape.
Both refrigerators and freezers operate at peak efficiency when they are full.
Keep external coils free from dust and lint.
Allow foods to cool in the refrigerator prior to freezing. For proper food safety, food should be refrigerated within two hours of being cooked. Leave container covers cracked open so food cools faster than cover tightly when cooled.

The most electrical energy required for washing is used for heating water.
Warm or cold water will clean most clothes.
Use hot water to wash heavily soiled clothes and for sanitation purposes.
Vent dryers outside to avoid moisture build-up inside the home.
Avoid over-drying clothes.
Keep lint filters clean.
Dry consecutive loads to utilize otherwise wasted heat from the dryer.
Plan laundry to wash and dry full loads.
Consider buying a resource-efficient clothes washer. These washers use about half the energy and 40% less water than conventional washers.

Washing full loads utilize hot water use and electricity more efficiently than washing partial loads.
Use the right amount of detergent. Too much or too little will decrease the washer's efficiency.
"Air Dry" dishes when time allows.
When hand washing dishes, avoid running hot water continuously. Use a sink stopper or dishpan to hold water.

Insulate sides, bottom, pipes, and enclosures with a heavy layer of insulation.
A clean filter is recommended to help keep the water clean and water changes to a minimum.
When using the spa intermittently (several days between uses), turn down the thermostat.
Turn jet control off and water circulation control down when the spa is not in use.
Use a tight-fitting, well-insulated cover with a good seal when the spa is not in use.

An uncovered water bed can use twice as much energy to maintain the desired temperature as a covered water bed.
A comforter or bedspread covering the water bed will retain heat and reduce energy use.

In most cases, small cooking appliances are more economical than large appliances. For example, these appliances use less energy than the range when performing the same cooking task: toaster, waffle iron, slow cooker, fondue pot, popcorn popper, electric coffee pot, and bottle warmer.

Proper insulation, weather-stripping, caulking, double windows, and doors keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer.
Use properly sized heating and cooling equipment. Oversized equipment reduces operating efficiency.
Set thermostats to provide no more heating or cooling than is necessary for comfort and good health. Raising the thermostat setting in the winter increases heating costs by about three % per degree.
During hot weather, close drapes to keep sun rays out. If the outdoor temperature drops below the inside temperature, make use of cooler outdoor air through open windows and doors.
During cold weather, open drapes to let in the sunshine.
Arrange furniture and drapes so that air circulation from heating and cooling sources is not blocked.
Service equipment annually. Clean or replace filters frequently.
Close dampers on unused fireplaces to prevent heated air from escaping up the chimney, except those fireplaces that are required by code to have the damper open at all times.
Fireplace glass doors and outside air sources can help reduce heat loss.
Proper attic ventilation is necessary for both heating and cooling efficiency.

Making your water heater more efficient is easy. Consider the following:
New, energy-efficient water heaters have high R-value insulation that helps to minimize heat loss from the tank.
An easy way to keep heating costs low is to get your home's water heater tuned up.
Think about converting to a solar water heater.
Set the water heater thermostat no higher than what is necessary, generally, 120 degrees Fahrenheit is adequate. (If you have a dishwasher, check the owner's manual for the recommended temperature setting.)
Water Usage
Repair leaky faucets. A faucet dripping two drops per second can waste over 200 gallons of water per month.
Insulate hot water pipes.
Install flow-restricting showerheads.
A short shower usually uses less hot water than a tub bath.
Use cold water for garbage disposals.
Set water heater thermostat no higher than necessary, generally 120 degrees Fahrenheit. (If you have a dishwasher, check the owner's manual for the recommended temperature setting.)
New energy-efficient electric water heaters have high R-value insulation that minimizes heat loss from the tank.
If your family uses a lot of hot water, investigate cost savings that might be available by installing a solar water heater or a heat pump water heater.

Consider using fluorescent lights. They produce three times as much light per watt as incandescent bulbs and usually last 20 times longer.
Keep fixtures clean to maintain lighting efficiency.
Turn off lights when no one is using them.
Choose the right wattage bulb for the lighting task. A 100-watt bulb produces approximately the same amount of light as two 60-watt bulbs but uses less energy.
Consider installing timers or photoelectric cells to operate outdoor lights.

Weatherizing your home can help noticeably reduce your energy costs. The following is a list of things you can do to make your home more energy-efficient.
Use weather stripping or caulk to seal your home's exterior doors and windows.
Repair or replace any defective storm or thermopane windows.
Seal heat delivery ducts and drafts to prevent loss of heat.
Insulate walls, attics, and floors.
Install a water heater blanket.
Has your furnace tuned up, replacing any worn or defective parts?