Energy-Saving Tips
In these uncertain times, we all look for a sense of control and a way to make a difference. Focusing on energy efficiency and conservation has always been important to us, and we know it is for you too.
Here are some year-round things we can all do, together, to save energy!
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Winter • Winterize windows with weather stripping (for all moveable joints) and caulk (for nonmoving parts). Also, use a window kit to insulate the inside of your windows to keep cold air out and warm air in. • Change your furnace filter once a month. • Keep baseboards and heating vents unobstructed by rugs and furniture. • Reverse the direction of ceiling fans in winter so they move warm air down and don’t create a wind-chill effect. |
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Summer • Fill your dishwasher completely before running it. In summer months, a dishwasher can add humidity to the air so your air conditioning system will need to work harder to maintain a cool temperature. • Replace your air filter. • Clean the outdoor coils on your air conditioner as often as necessary (i.e., when dirt is visible on the outside of the coil). Be sure the power is off to the unit before performing any work!!! • Open the supply and return registers. • Plant shade trees around your outdoor a/c unit. A unit sitting in the sun can use significantly more energy to cool your home than one in the shade. • Install ceiling fans. They use far less energy than air conditioners and allow you to feel cool while keeping your thermostat set higher. |
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All Year Around • Using a microwave oven to cook meals uses about half the energy of a conventional oven. • Washing clothes in cold water instead of hot water can save you about $50 per year. • Another energy saver in the laundry room is putting a dry towel in the dryer with each load of wet clothes. The towel will absorb dampness and reduce drying time up to 33%, saving energy and money. |
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• If you have a crawl space, inspect it regularly to be sure that the insulation inside is dry. When insulation gets wet, its effectiveness is significantly reduced. Find the source of the moisture and replace any damaged insulation. • Vacuum the coils on your refrigerator every year. The dirt buildup makes the refrigerator work harder to keep the contents cool and therefore uses more energy. • Check for open fireplace dampers. • Double-pane windows with a low-emissive glass coating can reduce heating bills by 34% in cold climates compared with uncoated, single-pane windows. • When adjusting a thermostat manually, remember that the house will not warm up or cool down faster if you set the thermostat past the desired temperature. Besides, it is easy to forget to turn it back to the normal setting, and in the meantime you’ll be wasting energy and money. • Consider landscaping your home for energy conservation. For instance, plant evergreen trees on the north side to block winter winds and deciduous (leafy) trees on the south side to block the heat of the summer sun. • Make sure your attic is well insulated. This step alone can save you 20%-35% on heating costs and up to 35% on air conditioning costs. Seal any openings with caulk or compressed fiberglass insulation. Also check for adequate ventilation in the attic through unclogged, screened vents. If you run an air conditioner, consider adding roof vents (so your attic won’t trap hot air in the summer). • Install flow-restricting showerheads. You can reduce hot water use by as much as 50% without affecting water pressure. • Leave your storm windows on all year long. They provide valuable year-round insulation and can result in significant fuel savings. • Make sure your duct system is sealed. Leaky ducts can waste large amounts of heat and cooled air, and you won’t know it until you get hit with a big energy bill. Contact us if you suspect a duct leak. • Windows should have ample coverings to provide shade from warm sunlight in summer months. Draperies can provide added insulation in winter. • Use kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans wisely. In just one hour, one of these fans can pull out a houseful of warmed or cooled air. Turn off vent fans as soon as they have done their job.
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