100 Energy Saving Tips

1. Replacing your filters regularly will help keep your heating and cooling equipment running clean and efficiently.
2. Check and vacuum your refrigerator coils at least twice a year. Dirty coils make your refrigerator work harder than necessary.
3. Use low-wattage light bulbs where illumination is not needed for reading or other close work.
4. Close windows when heating or cooling.
5. When going on vacation, shut off or turn down automatic appliances such as your water heater and raise the thermostat on the air conditioner.
6. Install shades, awnings or sunscreens on windows facing south and or west to block summer light. Close curtains and shades on that side, also. Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house.
7. Lighting: Use dimmer switches or timers on lights, and turn off lights when they are not needed.. Consider installing timers, photocells, or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights are on.
8. Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it. For example, use fluorescent under-cabinet lighting for kitchen sinks and countertops under cabinets. Consider three-way lamps; they make it easier to keep lighting levels low when brighter light is not necessary.
9. Save on the electricity used by your water heater by fixing leaky faucets, installing low-flow showerheads and aerators in your faucets.
10. Close off cooling to areas and rooms that don’t need it.
11. Try to minimize the number of times that doors to the outside are opened and closed. Each time you open the door warm air enters the house.
12. If your heating system has a pilot light turn it off during the summer. A pilot light can cost $3-$5 per month to stay lit - why leave it on when you aren't using it?
13. Have a contractor check behind registers, in your crawlspace, or in the attic for crushed, disconnected, or leaky ducts. Sealing leaks in ducts can reduce heating costs by 10 – 20%
14. Use an exhaust fan to blow hot air out of your kitchen while cooking. The savings in your cooling costs far outweigh the electricity use of the fan.
15. Limit activities that add heat or humidity to your home to cooler times of the day or to times when nobody is home. For example, turn on your dishwasher as you leave the house or let dishes air dry rather than use the dishwasher's heater.
16. Each degree that you raise the thermostat on your cooling system typically saves 2% on your cooling bill. Energy experts recommend setting your thermostat at 78° F or higher.
17. The breeze created by a ceiling fan or portable fan typically makes you feel just as comfortable at a temperature 6° F warmer. Raising the thermostat 6° F can save 10% on your cooling bill.
18. Consider using a dehumidifier instead of always turning on the air conditioning. You will be comfortable at much higher temperatures if you reduce the humidity.
19. Lower your thermostat at night and whenever the house is unoccupied.
20. Close off and don't heat unoccupied rooms (unless you have a heat pump).
21. Lower the temperature on your electric water heater to 120 (F) degrees. Turn it off when leaving for extended periods of time. Gas water heaters must be set to the "Vacation" setting.
22. Keep the refrigerator stocked; it takes more energy to cool an empty fridge. But don’t crowd the food. Too many dishes obstruct air circulation.
23. Shut off lights, computers and other electronic appliances when you're not using them.
24. Install gaskets behind electric-outlet and switch-plate covers.
25. Install an automatic setback thermostat that adjusts temperature according to your daily schedule.
26. Use motion sensors for outdoor lighting. You'll still have security and save energy. Exterior lighting is one of the best places to use Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) because of their long life. If you live in a cold climate, be sure to buy a lamp with a cold-weather ballast.
27. Replace the halogen torchiere floor lamp with a Compact Fluorescent Light model. They're safer, use 70 percent less electricity and produce as much, if not more, light.
28. Replace furnace filters. The dirtier they are the harder the fan furnace works.
29. Add water heater tank and hot water pipe insulation especially if in an unheated space. Don't cover the thermostat or, for natural gas models, the air inlets.
30. Insulation saves energy. Increase attic insulation to R-38 (the current requirement for new homes). Insulate floors over unheated spaces to R-19. Insulate and seal ducts attics, crawl spaces, garages and other unheated areas.
31. When you replace a home appliance, the more energy-efficient models are sometimes more expensive to buy, but save money on energy over time.
32. Wall insulation should be added when the space is made accessible during home remodeling.
33. Invest in commercially installed storm windows or insulated glass.
34. Don’t let the hot water run while shaving, etc.
35. Use the right amount of detergent. Too much or too little will decrease your washer’s efficiency.
36. When hand washing dishes, avoid running hot water continuously. Use a sink stopper or dishpan to hold water.
37. Foods in covered cookware retain heat better and will cook at a lower temperature.
38. If you have an electric stove: turn elements on an electric stove off a few minutes ahead of schedule and allow retained heat to cook. If you have an electric oven, preheat only when necessary. Defrost foods before baking or roasting to save up to 50% of the total cooking time. Use extra oven space to cook food to be used later.
39. In many cases, microwave ovens use less electricity than conventional ovens for a given cooking job because they cook faster at a lower wattage.
40. Clothes dryers: Vent dryers outside to avoid moisture build-up inside the home. Avoid over-drying clothes. It wastes energy and it’s not great for the clothes. Keep lint filters clean. Dry consecutive loads to utilize otherwise wasted heat from the dryer
41. Both refrigerators and freezers operate at peak efficiency when they are full.
42. Allow foods to cool in refrigerator prior to freezing. For proper food safety, food should be refrigerated within two hours of being cooked. Leave container covers cracked open so food cools faster then cover tightly when cooled.
43. In most cases, small cooking appliances are more economical than large appliances. The toaster, waffle iron, slow cooker, fondue pot, popcorn popper, electric coffee pot, or bottle warmer all use less energy than the range when performing the same cooking task
44. A pressure cooker saves energy. By cooking food at a higher temperature and pressure, cooking time is reduced dramatically and energy use is cut by 50-75%.
45. Proper insulation, weather-stripping, caulking, double windows, and doors keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer.
46. During hot weather, close drapes to keep sun rays out. If the outdoor temperature drops below the inside temperature, make use of cooler outdoor air through open windows and doors.
47. Arrange furniture and drapes so that air circulation from heating and cooling sources is not blocked.
48. In winter, close dampers on unused fireplaces to prevent heated air from escaping up the chimney, except those fireplaces that are required by code to have the damper open at all times. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a 48-inch window wide open. It allows warm air to go right up the chimney.
49. Fireplace glass doors can help reduce heat loss.
50. Repair leaky faucets. A Faucet dripping two drops of water per second can waste over 200 gallons of water per month
51. Use cold water when running the garbage disposal.
52. Choose the right wattage bulb for the lighting task. A 100-watt bulb produces approximately the same amount of light as two 60-watt bulbs, but uses less energy.
53. Consider installing timers or photoelectric cells to operate outdoor lights.
54. Repair or replace any defective storm or thermo pane windows
55. Use bath and kitchen fans sparingly when the air conditioner is operating to avoid pulling warm, moist air into your home.
56. Inspect and clean both the indoor and outdoor coils of your air conditioner. The indoor coil in your air conditioner acts as a magnet for dust because it is constantly wetted during the cooling season. Dirt build-up on the indoor coil is the single most common cause of poor efficiency. The outdoor coil must also be checked periodically for dirt build-up and cleaned if necessary.
57. Over most of the cooling season, keep the house closed tight during the day. Don't let in unwanted heat and humidity. Ventilate at night either naturally or with fans.
58. Whole-house fans help cool your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic. They are effective when operated at night and when the outside air is cooler than the inside.
59. Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.
60. While fans cannot replace air conditioners, they can provide supplemental cooling, especially on mild summer days. Substituting fans for air conditioners can reduce energy use by 60% or more.
61. Room air conditioners must be installed on a flat, even surface so that the inside drainage system and other mechanisms operate efficiently.
62. If you use a window air conditioner, set the fan speed on high, except on very humid days. When humidity is high, set the fan speed on low for more comfort. The low speed on humid days will make for a more comfortable home by removing more moisture from the air.
63. Don't place lamps or televisions near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
64. Plant trees and shrubs to shade air-conditioning units but do not block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.
65. Room air conditioners should be covered or removed and stored in winter.
66. If you use a room air conditioner, check your unit's air filter once a month and clean or replace filters as necessary. Keeping the filter clean can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
67. Holes in the seal between the air conditioner and the window frame allow cool air to escape from your home. Moisture can damage this seal, so inspect the seal annually to ensure it makes contact with the unit's metal case.
68. Trees that lose their leaves in the fall (i.e., deciduous) are the most effective at reducing heating and cooling energy costs. When selectively placed around a house, they provide excellent protection from the summer sun but permit winter sunlight to reach and warm your house. The height, growth rate, branch spread, and shape are all factors to consider in choosing a tree.
69. Vines provide shading and cooling. Grown on trellises, vines can shade windows or the whole side of a house.
70. If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.
71. When you use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly—approximately 1 inch—and close doors leading into the room. Lower the thermostat setting to between 50° and 55°F.
72. Fireplace owners: Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible. Add caulking around the fireplace hearth. Use grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room.
73. Drain a quart of water from your hot water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that prevents heat transfer and lowers the unit's efficiency.
74. Take more showers than baths. Baths use the most hot water in an average household. You use 15 to 25 gallons of hot water for a bath and less than 10 gallons for a 5-minute shower.
75. Keep the doors closed on your refrigerator as much as possible and make sure they are closed tightly. To ensure proper cooling of its contents, don't crowd food items. Too many dishes obstruct air circulation. Replace paper wrappings on food items with aluminum foil or plastic wrap for more efficient cooling and freezing. Paper is an insulator. Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
76. Do you know you may have a heater running inside your refrigerator? If you have a “butter conditioner” consider turning it off - the butter conditioner is a little heater inside your refrigerator.
77. Placement of the refrigerator is very important. Direct sunlight and close contact with hot appliances will make the compressor work harder.
78. Don’t suffocate your refrigerator. Because most refrigerators reject heat from the bottom and/or back, they need adequate clearance to allow sufficient airflow. While no specific studies have been done to calculate the optimum clearance space, one general rule-of-thumb is to double the space recommended by manufacturers for refrigerator installation. Another rule-of-thumb is to allow 2 inches of airflow around the refrigerator.
79. Don't keep that old, inefficient fridge running day and night in the garage for those few occasions when you need extra refreshments. A 15-year-old refrigerator could cost $100-$150 per year.
80. Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer section. If you have a separate freezer for long-term storage, it should be kept at 0°F. To check refrigerator temperature, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. To check the freezer temperature, place a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.
81. Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost buildup increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running. Don't allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.
82. Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing
83. Move your refrigerator out from the wall and vacuum its condenser coils once a year unless you have a no-clean condenser model. Your refrigerator will run for shorter periods with clean coils.
84. Always operate a dishwasher with a full load and select an energy saving cycle whenever possible. The dishwasher uses the same amount of water whether it is half full or completely full. It also uses less water and energy than washing them in the sink.
85. Don't pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. Scrape-off food and empty liquids. Soaking or prewashing is generally recommended in cases of burned-on or dried-on food. If you must rinse dishes, use cold water.
86. Load dishes according to manufacturers instructions and allow for proper water circulation. Don't use the "rinse hold" on your machine for just a few soiled dishes. It uses 3 to 7 gallons of hot water each time you use it. Let your dishes air dry; if you don't have an automatic air-dry switch on the dishwasher, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open a little so the dishes will dry faster.
87. Most electrical energy required for washing is used for heating water. Wash most clothes in warm or cold water; rinse in cold. You'll save energy and money. Use hot water only if absolutely necessary for extra dirty clothes or sanitation. Switching the washer temperature setting from hot to warm could reduce a load's energy in half
88. Fill washers (unless they have a small-load attachment or variable water levels), but do not overload them. In general, washing one large load is more efficient than washing two small loads. If you don’t have a full load but need to get clothes clean, adjust the setting to a lower water level if possible.
89. Washing clothes: Do not over-wash clothes. Delicate clothes don't need as long a wash cycle as dirty work clothes. Presoak or use a soak cycle when washing heavily soiled garments. You'll avoid two washings and save energy.
90. Dryers: Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes. Don't over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it. Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation. Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.
91. Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material, not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.
92. Preheat ovens only when necessary. With conventional ovens, keep the preheating time to a minimum. Unless you're baking breads or pastries, you may not need to preheat the oven at all. Check to be sure the oven door gasket is tight. Adjust or replace gaskets as required.
93. Food cooks more quickly and efficiently in ovens when air can circulate freely. Don't lay foils on racks. If possible, stagger pans on upper and lower racks to improve airflow. Use glass or ceramic pans in ovens. You can turn down the temperature about 25°F and cook foods just as quickly.
94. Do not open the oven door often to preview the food. Each time you open the door the oven temperature drops by 25°F. Watch the clock or use a timer instead.
95. Full-size ovens are not very efficient for cooking small- to medium-sized meals, it generally pays to use toaster ovens or microwave ovens.
96. If you have a self-cleaning oven, consider using the self-cleaning feature immediately after regular baking when the oven is still hot. Less energy will be required to reach the cleaning temperature. Try not to use the self-cleaning feature too often.
97. On your stove, keep range-top burners and reflectors clean; they will reflect the heat better and save energy.
98. When cooking, match the size of the pan to the heating element; more heat will get to the pan and less will be lost to the surrounding air. A 6-inch pan on an 8-inch burner will waste over 40% of the energy. Use only flat-bottomed pans that make full contact with the element. A warped or rounded pan will waste most of the heat.
99. When cooking with a gas range-top burner, use moderate flame settings to conserve gas. Also make sure the pilot light is burning efficiently, with a blue flame. A yellowish flame indicates an adjustment is needed because the gas is burning inefficiently.
100. Turn off decorative outdoor gas lamps; just eight gas lamps burning year round use as much natural gas as it takes to heat an average-size home during an entire winter