Energy-Saving Tips

• In the summer, set your thermostat on 78 degrees or as high as you can be comfortable.

  Your biggest energy user in the summer is your air conditioner, while your biggest energy user in the winter is your heating system. In hot weather, set your thermostat to the highest setting at which you can be comfortable. In the winter, set your thermostat at the lowest setting at which you’ll be comfortable. (For example, in the winter, for every degree below 72 at which you can set your thermostat, you will save 3-5 percent off your heating bill.)
   
• If you are going to be gone from your home for an extended period, leave the air conditioner off or turn it up to a high setting if it is summertime. Lower the thermostat several degrees in cold weather.
   
• Your water heater is the second highest energy user in your home. Set your thermostat on your water heater as low as possible. A setting between 120 to 130 degrees should be sufficient for most families’ needs.
   
• Your fireplace may be warm and cozy, but it can add to your energy bill when you use it in cold weather. To prevent heat from escaping up your chimney, keep your damper closed in cold weather and enjoy your fireplace in milder weather.
   
• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents; they produce less heat while using a fraction of the electricity.
   
• Cleanliness is not only a virtue, it’s a money saver. Keep the filters of your heating and cooling unit clean. Change the fiberglass ones monthly; wash the aluminum mesh ones.
   
• Keep the vents of your heating and cooling unit open and free of obstruction. With a central unit system, keep the doors inside your home open for a better return air for the unit.
   
• When shopping for a new heating and cooling unit, always buy the highest SEER rating you can afford. SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) is a federal government standard. Trying to save money on the front end will cost you extra money each month when you run that unit.
   
• When buying appliances, look for the models that are the most energy efficient. Each day as you wash those dishes or dry those clothes, you will be saving money.
   
• Only wash and dry full loads of clothes. Wash and rinse clothes in cold water.