10 No-Cost
Energy-Saving Tips
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Switch off dishwasher dry cycle.
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Run dishwashers just before bedtime and unload the next day to help shave peak demand.
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Do laundry later in the evening to help shave peak demand.
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Use cold-water cycle for more clothes.
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Clean air filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation or line-dry clothes in place of clothes.
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Lower hot water temperature if you never experience hot water shortages.
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Unplug infrequently used televisions and VCRs.
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Shorten pumping cycle on pool and shift to off-peak time.
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Close drapes or blinds in unoccupied rooms, keeping the heat in during winter and the hot sun out in summer.
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Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as is comfortable in the summer. |
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Water Heating
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Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 14% of your utility bill.
There are three ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, and buy a new, more efficient water heater. A family of four, each showering for 5 minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water a week; this is enough for a 3-year supply of drinking water for one person. You can cut that amount in half simply by using low-flow nonaerating showerheads and faucets.
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Water Heating |
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Water Heating Tips
- Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period.
- Install nonaerating low-flow faucets and showerheads.
- Buy a new water heater. While it may cost more initially than a standard water heater, the energy savings will continue during the lifetime of the appliance. Although most water heaters last 10 15 years, it"s best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than seven years old.
- Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 115°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses.
- If you heat with electricity, consider installing a solar water heater. The solar units are environmentally friendly and can now be installed on your roof to blend with the architecture of your house. When shopping for a solar water heater, watch for systems certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC).
- Take more showers than baths. Bathing uses the most hot water in the average household. You use 15 to 25 gallons of hot water for a bath, but less than 10 gallons during a 5-minute shower.
(Source: US Department of Energy)
Energy - Saving Tips
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