Energy Saving Tips

General Appliances

Turn off unnecessary lights, TVs, computers and other electrical appliances when not in use.
When possible, replace older appliances with newer, high-efficiency models.
Run only full (but not overloaded) loads in your dishwasher.
Set the temperature in your refrigerator between 37ºF and 40ºF.
Vacuum your refrigerators condenser coils (for most models, once a year will do.)
Use small electric appliances or a microwave to cook instead of your stove or oven.
Do your dishes and laundry outside of peak hours 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
A ten-year-old refrigerator or freezer can cost considerably more to operate than a new energy-efficient model of the same size.
A refrigerator and/or freezer in the garage will use more energy to maintain the temperature in the hot summer months.

Lighting

Cooling and Heating

Set the thermostat as high as possible, recommended energy-efficient summer temperature is 80 to 82°F.
To cool your house efficiently, your air conditioner must be cool too, try to keep it in the shade. An air conditioner exposed to direct sunlight will use up to five percent more energy.
A smart thermostat allows you to control your home's temperature while you are away.
By drawing shades and curtains on hot days it minimizes the amount of heat that enters your home.
Have a licensed HVAC contractor service your unit bi-annually to maintain the unit and ensure it runs at peak efficiency.
Install a high efficiency air conditioner at least a 14 SEER2 if air cooled. The higher the SEER, the more money saved.
Permanent filters can be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions. Disposable filters should be replaced every month or two while the unit is in use. Clogged filters will use up to five percent more energy than a clean one, so check your filter at the beginning of the summer.
Add attic insulation. Determine the amount of attic insulation is currently installed in the home. We recommend an R Value of 49. (R Value is the rating of the resistance to heat transfer of the insulation).
Install solar screens on the windows or install awnings.
Make sure heating/cooling registers and return air openings are free from obstructions.
Seal air ducts to prevent heat loss.
Turn off kitchen, bath and other ventilating fans when you are done.
Make sure your fireplace is properly vented.
Install insulation tape on doors and windows to keep drafts out.

Pool Operating Tips

Ceiling Fans

Can be used in conjunction with the air conditioning to help reduce energy costs. For example, you can move the setting on your thermostat from 78 degrees to 80 degrees and still keep the room comfortable.
Are economical to operate as they consume very little energy.
Most ceiling fans are designed to be reversible for winter operation. When reversed the warm air is pulled from the floor level and then circulated.
Make sure that the direction of airflow is downward in summer and upward in the winter.
Fans used during the winter should be operated at low speeds, allowing the air to gently circulate.

Window Shading

The more glass your home has the more window shading is recommended to improve comfort and reduce energy consumption.
Interior shading devices include blinds, shades, and draperies. They can block up to 65% of the sun's heat what would be transferred through the window.
Insulated drapes or shades can be used to reduce heating needs in the winter and heat gain in the summer.
Exterior shading can block 95% of the sun's heat. Horizontal overhangs, awnings, tinted and reflective films are commonly used.

Winter Tips

Smart thermostats can be used to adjust temperature settings up to several times per day.
Check your insulation in attics, ceilings, and crawl spaces.
Avoid turning up the heat in your home and use blankets to stay warm instead.
Open drapes and shades during the day to let in the sun.
Electric heaters are high wattage appliances and their use is primarily for supplemental heating. Try to use them just to take the chill off the room and then shut them off.

Check the Air Flow

The first step in troubleshooting high energy usage is to identify what could be using the most energy. You can do this yourself with our Day & Night Energy Trackers.

Day Energy Tracker | Night Energy Tracker

Fill Out Energy Tracker Example_Page_1

You can view the full Energy Tracker example here: Energy Tracker Example

Once you have completed your Energy Tracker you can compare it to your hourly usage, which can be viewed on our website | How to View Your Hourly Electric Usage (15-minute Intervals)

If you have any questions regarding your usage or tracker email us at energy.services@ed-3.org or call us at (520) 424-9021.