Now is a perfect time to prepare your home for the coming winter months. As homeowners we often think about saving energy only after we’ve experienced a huge power bill. By following some of the recommendations provided here, you can cut your bills and still be comfortable.
Heating Tips
Set your thermostat a little higher. For every degree over 78F you can save between 6% and 8%.
Use the ‘auto’ setting instead of ‘on.’ In addition to power savings of up to $15 per month, you achieve better moisture control.
Use ceiling fans to circulate air around the home when you are there. It can make you feel three degrees warmer/ cooler.
If you installed press-on window tinting on windows that receive a lot of sunlight, remove the tinting in the winter to let heat in.
In the winter, lower your thermostat several degrees before cooking or before guests arrive. You won’t overheat that way.
Use your microwave to cook items instead of a traditional oven. It will cook faster and use a lot less energy, not to mention put out a lot less heat.
Clean or replace air filters monthly. Dirty filters can increase operating costs by 20% or more and make it harder for the system to do its job.
Make sure your thermostat is on an inside wall and away from doors and windows.
Set your thermostat to the lowest possible setting while staying comfortable. Setting it at 75F uses approximately 30% more power than keeping it at 70F.
Set your thermostat to 70F during the day and 60F - 65F at night. Many people even sleep easier if it’s cool in the room.
Make sure the fireplace flue is closed if you aren’t using it. Also, consider investing in glass doors.
Don’t use portable heaters often. Running a portable electric heater constantly could cost $100 or more in energy use per month.
Open shades and drapes on the sunny side of the house during the day and close them at night.
Don’t close off too many rooms in your house. A heating unit works best with airflow.
Have your heating system checked BEFORE it gets too cold.
Attic insulation is by far one of the best defenses you can have against heat loss. R-19 or higher is recommended.
Fireplaces lose about 90% of the heat they produce. For every $100 spent on wood, you get $10 worth of heat.
When installing a replacement air conditioner or heat pump, look for ENERGY STAR products and units with SEER values over 12.
Inspect your ductwork. Leaking ducts can make an efficient system operate like an archaic system.
Hot Water Tips
Fix any water leaks.
Use cold or warm water when washing clothing. Most clothing doesn’t require hot water.
Turn the water heater off at the breaker if you wont be home for two days or more.
Insulate pipes and the heater itself.
Turn the temperature down to 120F, or 135F if you use a dishwasher.
General Energy Saving Tips
Don’t use too large of a burner to cook food. Also make sure the reflectors under the burner are clean so that more heat is reflected upward.
Turn off the oven or burners a few minutes before you are finished cooking. There is enough residual heat to do the rest.
Don’t overwork your refrigerator. Set the temperature to 38F-40F and your freezer to 5F.
Make sure the coils on the back of the refrigerator are clean and free of dust.
Keep the refrigerator full to reduce the amount of air that needs to be re-cooled every time you open the door.
Wash full loads of laundry when possible. Adjust the water sizes for lower loads and use the short wash cycle for lightly soiled garments.
Dry loads of laundry in succession. A warm dryer will operate better than a cool dryer.
