EPIC Energy Efficiency Tips
- When you’re not using electronics or appliances, such as TVs, DVD players, computers, phone chargers, and coffee makers, turn them off and unplug them.
- Use cold water for washing full loads of laundry. This can significantly reduce the amount of energy used by laundry machines because water heating makes up about 90 percent of energy use.
- Always dry full loads of laundry in your dryer and try to dry several loads in a row. This can save energy because the dryer doesn’t have to warm up each time.
- Before starting your dryer, clean the lint trap and add a tennis ball or clean, dry towel to improve air circulation and reduce drying time.
- Turn off the faucet intermittently when you’re brushing your teeth, shaving, or doing dishes to avoid wasting hot water.
- Consider installing energy-saving shower heads, faucets, and flow restrictors.
- Use dimmer switches or timers for your lights and be sure to turn off lights when leaving a room.
- Defrost your refrigerator or freezer when ice builds up to more than one-quarter of an inch.
- When using your fireplace, turn down your heater and be sure to close the damper when you’re not using it to prevent cold air from entering your home.
- During the day, open curtains on your south-facing windows to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. At night, close curtains, shades, and blinds to help prevent warm air from escaping.
- When you’re at home, set your furnace thermostat at 68°F or lower, as long as it’s health permitting. Every degree above 68°F increases energy use by three to five percent.
- Before leaving the house, set the thermostat to 56°F. By turning your thermostat back 10-15 degrees for 8 hours, you can save 5-15 percent a year on your heating bill.
- Seal air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys, recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
- Use caulk or weather-stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows to keep warm air inside and prevent drafts.
- On hot days, try to avoid using the oven and instead cook on the stove, use a microwave, or grill outside to keep your home cool.
- Make sure that the area where your air conditioner vents to the outside is clear to ensure good ventilation.
- Save on cooling costs by setting your thermostat to 75-78°F when you’re at home and your health permits it. Set it to 85°F when you’re away for more than a few hours.
- Plan to do tasks that make your home warmer, such as laundry and cooking, during cooler times of the day.
- Consider minimizing dryer use and let your clothes air dry by hanging them outside instead.
- Open your windows during the morning and at night to let cooler air flow into your home. Cover your windows during the day to block the hot sun.
- Check the filter on your air conditioning system and clean or replace it if it’s dirty to ensure optimal performance.
- If you use air conditioning, try using a ceiling fan to raise the thermostat setting by about 4°F with no reduction in comfort.