Energy Saving Tips

These no or low costs energy-saving tips can help you save money on your electric bill.  

Heating and Cooling

• Lower your bill by 3% for every degree that the thermostat is lowered in the winter and raised in the summer
• Recommended thermostat settings: 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter.  
• Use ceiling fans and electric fans to help keep you cooler in the summer.
• Use warm clothing and blankets to stay warmer in the winter.
• If using window units and space heaters, only heat or cool rooms being used.
• Use exhaust fans when cooking and bathing.
• install a programmable thermostat.
• Landscape with trees on the east and west sides of the house; plant evergreens to the north to block cold winter winds.  
• Keep drapes and blinds closed in the summer to keep heat out of your home.  Keep drapes and blinds open in the winter to allow sunlight to add heat to your home.
• Keep outside doors closed as much as possible.  
• Seal all air leaks.
• Check the insulation in the attic.  
• Place skirting around mobile homes and above ground homes.
• Change air filters once a month.
• Perform regular maintenance on your heating and cooling unit and have it serviced by a professional annually. 
• Do not close supply air registers.

Water Heating 

• Water heaters should be set at 110-120 degrees.
• When you go away on vacation for an extended period of time, turn off the water heater.
• Insulate water heater pipes if the unit is exposed to the elements.
•  Never run water constantly when shaving, brushing your teeth, or washing dishes. 
• Take showers instead of baths.
• Repair leaky faucets.
• Wash full loads of laundry and dishes.
• Never use hot water when cold water will work just as well.
• Have your water heater checked by a professional annually.

Lighting

• Turn the lights off when leaving a room.
• Use lower wattage lights, three-way bulbs, and dimmer switches.
• Replace outdoor lighting with its equivalent outdoor-rated LED bulbs.  
• Use outdoor security lights with photocell or a motion sensor. 
• Do as many household chores during the daylight hours using free natural lighting.
• Repaint walls and ceilings with light colors. 

Appliances 

• When shopping for new appliances, look for the Energy Star. 
• Turn appliances like televisions and computers off when not in use.
• Air-dry clothes and dishes when possible.
• Hang clothes on an outside line when possible.
• Never overload the clothes dryer.  
• Dry clothes back to back while the dryer is still warm.
• Dry heavy and light items separately.
• Make sure refrigerator and freezer seals fit tightly when doors are closed.  
• Keep the freezer full.
• Keep outside coils clean on your refrigerator.
• Set the refrigerator temperature at 34-37 degrees and the freezer temperature at 0-5 degrees.
•  Open refrigerator, freezer, and oven doors as seldom as possible.
• Use pots the same size as your burner.  
• Use more efficient appliances such as microwaves, toaster ovens, electric skillets, etc. instead of your range or oven.
• Clean lint and dust buildup from the coils behind your appliances.