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ENERGY-SAVING TIPS BY SEASON
MAKE YOUR A/C WORK SMARTER.
MAKE YOUR A/C WORK SMARTER.
Optimizing your air conditioner is the best place to start when it comes to being energy efficient — and saving money — in the summer. Here are some ways to get the most from your A/C:
- Make sure your air conditioner is in optimal condition and have it serviced before summer starts. If your unit is old and inefficient, consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner.
- Clean your A/C’s air filter and any air vents. Pay extra attention during heavy-use months like June and July. At a minimum, change the filter every three months.
- Ensure that vents are not blocked by furniture to keep cool air circulating throughout your home.
- Use large, heat-producing appliances like your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer at night to avoid running your A/C overtime.
- Install a smart thermostat and let it learn your habits to make automatic energy-efficient adjustments.
- Set your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise to force cool air down.
SHIELD THE SUN WITH YOUR BLINDS.
MAXIMIZE YOUR REFRIGERATOR'S EFFICIENCY.
Refrigerators can use a lot of electricity, but there are several ways to help keep costs down, such as:
- Keep your refrigerator well-stocked. The fuller a fridge, the less energy it needs to expend to keep cool. The cold items inside the fridge continuously help maintain the cool temperature.
- Reconsider that second fridge or freezer. You may think it’s convenient or cost-efficient to keep a second one in your basement or garage, but it’s really using additional energy that is probably not necessary.
- Older refrigerators are much less efficient than newer energy-efficient models. If your current fridge is more than 20 years old, or otherwise on its last legs, consider upgrading to save energy — and money — in the long run.
INSULATE YOUR HOME.
Weatherproofing your home will help keep cool air in and heat out in the summer — and vice versa in the winter. Sealing air leaks around windows and doors, adding weather stripping and checking your home insulation will keep you comfortable in an energy and cost-efficient way.
MINIMIZE PHANTOM POWER.
MINIMIZE PHANTOM POWER.
When you leave electronics plugged in but don’t use them, they still use electricity. Known as phantom power, phantom load and vampire power, this standby power consumption typically accounts for 5% - 10% of a home’s electricity bill.
You can outsmart these vampires by:
- Unplugging electronics not used frequently. (For safety reasons, leave larger appliances plugged in.)
- Using a power strip to easily turn off and unplug multiple electronics at once.
- Choosing ENERGY STAR®-rated products, which have lower standby power consumption.
- Knowing which devices consume the most electricity when powered off but still plugged in. For example, video game consoles eat up five times more vampire power than DVD and Blu-ray players.
CHECK YOUR HEATING, VENTILATION AND DUCTWORK.
- Maintenance is essential for your heater to work properly. Make sure filters are clean and replace them periodically during the season.
- Heating rooms you don't use is a surefire way to increase your electricity bill. Close off vents in rooms that only get occasional use.
- The heat blowing out of your vents needs a clear, unobstructed path into the room to properly heat it. Rearrange the furniture in each room so it doesn't block the vents and prevent airflow.
- To keep ductwork from leaking heated air, seal it at joints and intersections with foil-backed tape or silicone caulking.
- Pay extra attention during heavy-use months like December. At a minimum, change the filter every three months.
CHECK YOUR HEATING, VENTILATION AND DUCTWORK.
- Maintenance is essential for your heater to work properly. Make sure filters are clean and replace them periodically during the season.
- Heating rooms you don't use is a surefire way to increase your electricity bill. Close off vents in rooms that only get occasional use.
- The heat blowing out of your vents needs a clear, unobstructed path into the room to properly heat it. Rearrange the furniture in each room so it doesn't block the vents and prevent airflow.
- To keep ductwork from leaking heated air, seal it at joints and intersections with foil-backed tape or silicone caulking.
- Pay extra attention during heavy-use months like December. At a minimum, change the filter every three months.
ADJUST YOUR WATER HEATER.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR THERMOSTAT.
- A smart thermostat is programmable, learns your preferences over time and adjusts automatically. Plus, you can control it from your smartphone to have it turn the heat on before you arrive home or turn it off if you're going to be out longer than expected. It’s a great way to save money by not heating an empty house.
- Set your thermostat two to three degrees lower. For every degree you set your thermostat below 78°F, you’ll see a five- to seven-percent increase in your
cooling costs. - Switch your ceiling fans to spin in a clockwise direction to help recirculate warm air that has risen to the ceiling.
- The U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees at night and using blankets to keep you warm. This will save you about 10% on your heating bill.
SEAL YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS.
- Poorly installed or insulated windows and doors, as well as light fixtures, pipes and wires, can be the source of energy leaks into and out of your home. If daylight can be seen around a door or window, it requires sealing. Use caulking or weather stripping to keep the cold air out and the warm air in. Cracked or loose weather stripping should be replaced for the best seal.
- If you live in an apartment or rental home and are unable to do repair work, you can prevent heat loss from windows by taping clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames. The effect is similar to adding a second pane of glass to the window.
- If you're in the market for new curtains or shades, look into insulated curtains and other thermal window treatments to help prevent heat loss.
- We often forget that the sun is still a natural source of energy in winter. Open up your shades and curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to naturally heat your home for free. (But close them at night to reduce any chill from cold windows).
UTILIZE CEILING AND EXHAUST FANS.
KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR FIREPLACE.
CHECK YOUR ATTIC.
- Inspect your attic insulation. Most attics should have about 10 to 14 inches of insulation (a value of R-38).
- Even if your attic is well-insulated, the access door may not be. To prevent rising warm air from leaking into the attic, use adhesive to attach fiberglass batt insulation to the attic side of the door, forming a good seal.
CHOOSE EFFICIENT HOLIDAY LIGHTING.
- Use LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, light-emitting diode (LED) lights use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lights, making them an energy-efficient choice for holiday lighting. Plus, strands of LED lights are also safer and sturdier than their traditional counterparts.
- Plug light strands into a power strip. This makes them easier to turn off and unplug during the day, meaning less wasted power. Note: You can apply this tip to many other energy-intensive devices around your home, too.
- Put decorative lights on a timer. Nobody will see your lights at 2 a.m., so why keep them on all night? Leave them on for six hours or less each day to spread holiday cheer without running up your bill.
- Use battery-powered decorations. Battery-powered candles provide just the right amount of soft light and look elegant, and the batteries last a long time. And if you invest in rechargeable batteries, you'll save even more over time.
CHOOSE EFFICIENT HOLIDAY LIGHTING.
- Use LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, light-emitting diode (LED) lights use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescent lights, making them an energy-efficient choice for holiday lighting. Plus, strands of LED lights are also safer and sturdier than their traditional counterparts.
- Plug light strands into a power strip. This makes them easier to turn off and unplug during the day, meaning less wasted power. Note: You can apply this tip to many other energy-intensive devices around your home, too.
- Put decorative lights on a timer. Nobody will see your lights at 2 a.m., so why keep them on all night? Leave them on for six hours or less each day to spread holiday cheer without running up your bill.
- Use battery-powered decorations. Battery-powered candles provide just the right amount of soft light and look elegant, and the batteries last a long time. And if you invest in rechargeable batteries, you'll save even more over time.
RESEARCH ENERGY STAR® APPLIANCES.
If you’ve been contemplating replacing any of your appliances — from your water heater to your washer and dryer to your refrigerator — take a good look at the ENERGY STAR® facts labels on potential replacements. ENERGY STAR®-rated appliances can offer significant savings over time.
FIND ALTERNATIVES TO USING YOUR HEATER.
- Take advantage of sunlight. Open your curtains on south-facing windows in the morning and let the power of the sun warm your home during the day for free. And when you arrive home, don’t forget to close the curtains to lock in that free heat.
- Use ceiling fans. Many people don’t realize that ceiling fans aren’t just for summertime — they can also be used in colder months to your advantage. Heat rises, so set the fan blades to spin clockwise and they will push warm air down from the ceiling.
- Layer up. On crisp autumn days, celebrate all that fall fashion has to offer by adding a warm sweater or scarf instead of automatically reaching for the thermostat.
FIND ALTERNATIVES TO USING YOUR HEATER.
- Take advantage of sunlight. Open your curtains on south-facing windows in the morning and let the power of the sun warm your home during the day for free. And when you arrive home, don’t forget to close the curtains to lock in that free heat.
- Use ceiling fans. Many people don’t realize that ceiling fans aren’t just for summertime — they can also be used in colder months to your advantage. Heat rises, so set the fan blades to spin clockwise and they will push warm air down from the ceiling.
- Layer up. On crisp autumn days, celebrate all that fall fashion has to offer by adding a warm sweater or scarf instead of automatically reaching for the thermostat.
LOWER YOUR THERMOSTAT.
LOWER YOUR THERMOSTAT.
- Keep your thermostat set at 68 degrees or lower when at home. When temperatures outside begin to drop, set your thermostat as low as comfortable for your family so your system won’t have to work so hard.
- When not at home, turn your thermostat down more. When you’re gone during the day or for longer periods of time, set your thermostat 10 to 15 degrees lower to conserve energy.
- Lower your water heater temperature. Water heaters are often set to 140 degrees, but setting them between 120 and 125 degrees is sufficient to provide hot water for your home, reducing your energy costs. It also prevents scalding.
REDUCE HEAT LOSS AROUND YOUR HOME.
MAINTAIN YOUR HVAC SYSTEM.
- Schedule a seasonal checkup. An HVAC technician can make sure your heater is running efficiently and ready to keep you cozy during the colder months ahead.
- Replace your furnace filter once a month (or as needed). Keeping your air filter clean is one of the most important energy-saving tips for fall — and winter, spring and summer. Not only does a clean filter allow proper airflow for peak HVAC performance, it also filters out dust, dirt and other allergens from your home.
- Perform a vent check. Make sure all the air vents around your home are free from furniture, drapes, toys or other items that can restrict airflow.
MAINTAIN YOUR HVAC SYSTEM.
- Schedule a seasonal checkup. An HVAC technician can make sure your heater is running efficiently and ready to keep you cozy during the colder months ahead.
- Replace your furnace filter once a month (or as needed). Keeping your air filter clean is one of the most important energy-saving tips for fall — and winter, spring and summer. Not only does a clean filter allow proper airflow for peak HVAC performance, it also filters out dust, dirt and other allergens from your home.
- Perform a vent check. Make sure all the air vents around your home are free from furniture, drapes, toys or other items that can restrict airflow.
CONSIDER ENERGY STAR® APPLIANCES.
Invest in energy efficiency. If you’re considering a new furnace, water heater or other large appliance, it’s always wise to consider those with ENERGY STAR® labels. These energy-efficient models can help you achieve a lower electricity bill by reducing your usage.