Energy Saving Tips - WINTERWINTER ENERGY SAVING TIPS
Set your thermostat at 68 or lower.
When temperatures are below freezing open cabinet doors under your sinks to allow warm air
to circulate and help keep the pipes from freezing. Unhook outside water hoses during the
winter and cover the faucets with a Styrofoam sleeve.
Change your heating system filter regularly.
Use compact florescent bulbs in the lights you use the most.
Open the blinds or drapes on the sunny side of your house during the day to allow the sunlight
to warm your home. Close them at night to block out the evening chill.
Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees.
Check for drafts around doors, windows, pipes and electrical outlets and caulk or weather strip
accordingly.
Have your heating system inspected and cleaned.
If you are not using your fireplace, make sure the damper is closed. If you do choose to use the
fireplace remember that the warm air in your home is being pulled out of your room and up
the chimney making your heater run longer.
Put all of your Holiday decorations on timers so they are not turned on all night.
If you have gas appliances in your home, invest in a carbon monoxide detector.
Computers, printers, modems, satellite dishes, VCR’s, TV’s, any electronic device uses electricity even
when off. Put them on a power strip and turn off the power strip when not using.
Not using it? UNPLUG IT.
Don’t run your washer, dryer or dishwasher unless full. Let dishes air dry instead of using the heat
element in your dishwasher. Wash clothes in cold water. Dryers run a long time. Check clothes part way
through the drying cycle; they may be dry. Clean your dryer’s lint tray after each drying cycle. Also make
sure your dryer vent house is not clogged with lint.
Install a programmable thermostat. You can program several temperature adjustments throughout the
day. Then you can keep the house cooler when no one is home and program the temperature to warm
up the house a little 30 minutes before you return.
Take short showers instead of long bathes to reduce the amount of electricity your hot water heater
uses.