Little changes do make a difference over time. We’ve compiled this list of energy saving tips that we hope will help reduce your energy bills!
1) Turn off your lights
2) Unplug items you rarely use
3) Switch your lightbulbs to more efficient ones
4) Use your curtains–open them when it’s cold to allow sunlight in, close them when it’s warmer to prevent too much sunlight from coming in.
5) Use a lamp timer so things stay on only when you need them
6) Use a charger that knows when your devices have had enough. The Conserve Valet is one item that does this
7) Have your heating system tuned and inspected by a service professional before each heating season. Heat losses from a poorly maintained system add up over time—sometimes at a rate of 1 percent to 2 percent a year [source]
8) Use a programmable thermostat to automatically turn the heat/AC up or down depending on whether you are home or away
9) Use a flow restrictor on an existing shower head to reduce water use
10) Put an insulating blanket around your water heater to hold in the heat
11) Turn off your water heater if you plan on leaving home for a few days. Most models will reheat the water to the set temperature in about an hour [source]
12) Wash only full loads with your dishwasher and use the shortest cycle you can to get the job done
13) Scrape dishes and rinse with cold water before loading them in the dishwasher and avoid using the pre-rinse cycle
14) If you have a self-cleaning oven, clean it immediately after use. It will use the heat that it has already generated
15) Turn off the oven five to 10 minutes before cooking time is up and let trapped heat finish the cooking
16) Wash and rinse your clothes in cold water and use a cold water detergent
17) Don’t overload your clothes dryer. Clothes dry faster when they have room to tumble
18) Clean lint out of the dryer to maximize efficiency (and prevent fires)
19) Because frozen food stays cold longer than air, it’s a good idea to keep your freezer full but not packed. You can save energy by putting water-filled containers in empty spaces [source]
20) Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door on a piece of paper or dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or dollar out easily, the hinge may need adjusting or the seal may need replacing [source]
21) Set your refrigerator temperature between 30 and 42°F. Use the power-save switch if you have one [source]
22) Boil water in a covered pot rather than an uncovered pot to retain heat
23) Thaw frozen foods before cooking to save time and energy
24) Keep the oven door closed while cooking – the temperature can drop by as many as 25 degrees each time you open the oven door [source]
25) And last but not least, grill out more often in the summer! A hot oven inside forces your AC to work harder.
Sources:
Consumer Energy
Pepco
[Featured Image by Anton Fomkin on Fotopedia]
