Save Energy – Save Money$$$

Heating and cooling your home accounts for almost 50% of your energy consumption.
Save Energy and Money by taking a whole-home approach to energy-efficiency with our money saving energy tips.
Whether you take simple no-cost steps or make larger investments to create a more efficient home, you’ll be decreasing your monthly expenses and helping the environment!

FREE TIPS:
• Turn off lights, electronics & appliances when not in use.
• Unplug electronics when on vacation.
• Keep lights & lighting fixtures clean. (dirt absorbs light)
• Clean filters monthly.
• Set your water heater to 120 degrees.
• Eliminate trapped air from hot water heater twice a season.
• Close chimney dampers.
• Vacuum your refrigerator & freezer coils (underneath & in the back) twice a year.
• Keep the seals (gaskets) on refrigerators & freezers clean.
• Keep your freezer as full as possible. (you can place containers or plastic bottles filled with water in empty spaces)
• Make sure food is cool & covered before it goes into the refrigerator.
• Use energy saver option on your dishwasher, allowing dishes to air dry..
• Keep reflectors underneath stovetop burners clean.
• Only operate washer & dryer when they are fully loaded.
• Use cold or warm wash & the cold rinse settings on your washing machine.
• Keep the area around your heating & cooling unit clean and free of obstructions to maintain airflow.
• Keep air supply & return registers clean & unobstructed.
• Keep thermostat clear of heat.
• Keep unit out of the sun.

In the Summertime
• Set thermostat to 78-80 degrees when home and 5-10 degrees warmer at night or when not at home.
• Use fans.
• Open windows at night.
• Close window coverings during the day to keep heat out.
• Use heat producing appliances as late in the evening as possible.
• Use pool trippers to reduce the time your swimming pool pump runs. (8-12 hours a day is plenty)
• Cover pool to keep water heated.

During Winter
• Set thermostat to 68 degrees when home and to 55-68 degrees when not at home.
• Open window coverings on the sunny side of your home to take advantage of free heat from the sun.
• Close window coverings on cloudy days or right after the sun sets.

LOW-COST TIPS:
• Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones.
• Caulk windows and doors.
• Weather-strip doors.
• Install a hot water heater blanket.
• Install hot water pipe insulation.
• Install electrical outlet and switch plate insulation.
• Plant trees and shrubs on the south and west side of your home.
• Fix leaky hot water faucets.
• Install low-flow shower heads & faucets.
• Replace filters monthly.
• Spray filters with a light coating of lemon furniture polish or vegetable oil cooking spray to help trap dirt in the filter.
• Schedule regular maintenance on your heating & cooling system.
• Schedule regular cleaning of your home’s vents and ducts.