What YOU Can Do!

• Energy-efficient compact folourscent bulbs use up to 75% less electricity than the incandescent bulbs they replace.
  
  
• Insulate old water heaters and exposed hot water pipes

• Turn the water heater down. Keep your hot water heating under a comfortable 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  You'll save 15 percent of your water heating energy.
  
  
• Turn down the thermostat.  Lowering the setting by 1 Celsius degree during the winter can save about 10 percent in energy use. 
  Likewise, if you have air conditioning, raising the temperature by just a few degrees can reduce energy in the summer.
  
  
• Change furnace air filters monthly.
  
  
• Take advantage of off-season rates and have your furnace cleaned during the summer.
  
  
• Take advantage of natural heat and light.  During the winter, leave the blinds open during the day to let the warmth of the sun in.   During the summer, close the blinds during the day to prevent the solar energy from overheating your home.
  
  
• Use less electric lighting and instead work with natural light.
  
  
• Close your window coverings at night. This will keep the heat in. If you have curtains or drapes, line them to keep the cold out
  
  
• Seal drafty windows. If you have single-pane windows, hang storm windows or seal them with plastic to keep the heat in. Double-pane windows are best for energy conservation, so if it is time to replace your windows, choose these. Additionally, caulk or weatherstrip any other openings
  
  
• Seal doors and close other openings. Feel a draft coming from your door? If you’ve already caulked and weatherstripped, consider putting a rolled up rug or towel in front of your door to stop the draft. Also, remember to seal the hatch to your attic, close your fireplace damper, and remove window air conditioning units. Heat could escape your house from there.
  
  
• Use a humidifier. During the winter months, the air is very dry. Adding a humidifier to your home will cause cooler temperatures to feel warmer
  
  
• Turn on the ceiling fan. In the winter, reversing your ceiling fan will push warm air down.
  
  
• Place refrigerators and freezers away from direct sunlight and other warm air sources.
  
  
• Vacuum refrigerator coils four times a year.  Dirt and pet hair build up and that makes your refrigerator work harder to keep your food cool.
  
  
• If you have a simple, open masonry fireplace, consider installing doors or a chimney-top damper.
  
  
• Wash cloths in cold water.  The new cold-water wash detergents have become very effective.   Do a few loads in a row to take advantage of your dryer's reserved heat.
  
  
• Clean the dryer filter before each use.
  
  
• Since a clothes dryer is one of the home's biggest users of energy, how about letting Mother Nature blow your clothing dry on occasion.
  
  
• Buy a self-cleaning oven.  They have higher insulation levels and use less energy than ordinary ovens.
  
  
• Don't leave your TV on when you're not watching it or your stereo on then you aren't listening.
  
  
• Unplug or recycle that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don't really need it.
  
  
• Turning off your computer during long periods of non-use cuts costs and improves longevity.
  
  
• In the kitchen, use smaller pans when cooking.  Smaller pans use less energy to heat.
  
  
• Defrost food in the refrigerator instead of running hot water over it.
  
  
• Prepare more than one item at a time in the oven to save energy or use a microwave oven, which uses a fraction of the energy.
  
  
• When purchasing new kitchen appliances, check the energy rating sticker for the annual consumption.