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Energy Saving Tips | ||||||||||||
Here's a comparison of the typical energy cost to run an older | ||||||||||||
Appliance | 1990 | 2005 | Annual Savings | |||||||||
Refrigerator | $85 | $32 | up to $53 | |||||||||
Actual Annual Savings may vary due to customer usage. | ||||||||||||
How an average Homeowner's Energy | ||||||||||||
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| Practical ways to lower your Energy Usage Refrigerator *Refrigerators and freezers can be an area of significant energy loss. Maker sure they are as full as possible and that the seals are in good condition. This will cut down on energy escaping when you open the door. *Avoid putting refrigerators or freezers in unconditioned spaces like garages if possible. *For best operation, keep your refrigerator's temperature between 37degrees and 40degrees. *Keep food away from the interior walls so cold air can circulate faster. *Keep your refrigerator condenser coils clean. Clean them every six months. Dishwasher *Turn off the drying cycle if you do not need to dry dishes immediately. *Wait until your dishwasher is full before using it. Automatic dishwashers require the same amount of hot water and electricity to wash a partial load as a full load. Washer and Dryers *Washer clothes in warm or cold water and rinse them in cold water. Use hot water only when necessary. *Wash a full load at a time but do not overload. A small load in a washing machine consumes just as much energy as a full load. *When using a dryer, wait until you have a full load. Also, separate drying loads into heavy and lightweight items. The lightweight items take less time to dry, so the dryer doesn't have to be on for as long with these loads. *Dry clothes in consecutive loads as the dryer will retain heat from the previous load. *Clean the lint filter thoroughly after each load. A clogged filter restricts the flow of air and reduces the performance of the dryer. Also check the vent periodically to make certain there are no clogs. *Don't overdry clothes. Taking clothes out when they are slightly damp reduces the need for ironing. Overdrying also causes shrinkage, shortens the life of the fabric, generates static electricity and uses more electricity. Water Heating *Turn down your water heater thermostat. A setting of 120degrees Fahrenheit is adequate for most homes with newer dishwashers. *Take quick showers instead of baths. This greatly reduces the amount of hot water needed. *Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. You probably will not notice the difference in water flow, but these fixtures can reduce water consumption by up to 50%. Lighting *Use smaller lamps over work areas such as desktops so work can be done without lighting the whole room. *Turn off lights when you do not need them and use motion sensors where practical. *Use ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent lighting when possible. These bulbs and fixtures use 2/3 less electricity to produce the same amount of light as incandescent lighting and the bulbs last up to 10 times longer. And, compact fluorescent lights put off less heat, helping you to decrease summer cooling costs. Heating and Cooling *Set your thermostats to 78degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and leave them there. You can immediately realize a 3% to 5% decrease in energy use for every degree you adjust the thermostat setting above or below your normal setting. *Make sure furniture, curtains and rugs don't block the flow of air from vents and air registers. *Maintain heating and cooling unit efficiency by changing your filters monthly during the heating and cooling season. If you have pleated filters, change them at least every three months. *Clean dust from supply and return air grilles and heating outlets. *Make sure the caulk and weather-stripping around your windows and doors is in good shape. If the caulk is cracked or the weather-stripping is flat or peeling, replace the old material. *Seal around wiring and plumbing penetrations. Use caulk for small holes and expanding foam for larger areas. This will keep unconditioned air from entering the house. *Make sure your ductwork is properly sealed. Cracks in joints and at plenums can cause your heating and cooling bills to increase by as much as 30% and can allow outside air to enter your home. *Install programmable thermostats to automatically reduce energy usage when you are normally away from home. Programmable thermostats, when used properly, will help you reduce your heating and cooling energy costs. *Have your heating and cooling system professionally serviced annually to keep them running at top efficiency. In the Winter *Open curtains and shades to let the sun warm your home naturally. *If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper is closed when the fireplace is not in use. This will keep cold air from coming down the chimney and into your home. It also will reduce warm air loss from your home. *Dress warmly, even indoors. This will allow you to set your thermostat a few degrees lower and still stay comfortable. In the Summer *Keep curtains and shades closed during the summer, especially on the east and west sides of your home. *Avoid using appliances that give off heat during the hottest times of the day as they will make your cooling system work harder. Do your cooking, washing and clothes drying in the morning or in the late evening, when the demand on your cooking system is less. *Use ceiling fans to take some of the burden off your air conditioner. Ceiling fans can make air feel 6degrees cooler and allow you to adjust your thermostat to an energy-saving temperature. *If your cooling system runs continuously, but doesn't seem to be cooling adequately, change your filter. If that doesn't work, have a dealer check to see if refrigerant is low or if the coils are dirty. *Keep plants and brush at least three feet away from outside units so they can operate more efficiently. Additional Energy Saving Tips *Install double-paned replacement windows, ENERGY STAR qualified Low-E windows or storm windows. They will greatly reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. They also will help decrease the outside noise that enters your home. *Consider installing storm doors. Storm doors create a pocket of insulated air space between the door and the storm door, helping to reduce heat transfer into and out of the home. *Make sure your attic, walls and floors are properly insulated. We recommend R-30 for the attic, R-19 for the floors and R-13 for walls. (Homes built after 1978 should have wall insulation.) *If your water heater is electric, insulate the water tank and pipes. This will reduce the amount of heat lost by water stored in the tank (consult your warranty before insulating your water heater). *If your water heater is old, install a newer, more efficient unit. Today's water heaters are usually insulated better and have heat traps that reduce heat loss. *If your heating and cooling system is older, install a more efficient system with a higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). ENERGY STAR qualified heat pumps and air conditioners are about 20% more efficient than standard models and could be as much as 50% more efficient than units installed prior to 1993. Consider installing an electric heat pump. In the summer, the heat pump is an efficient air conditioner. In the winter, a heat pump works like an air conditioner in reverse. It can extract heat from the outside air -- even at freezing temperatures -- and transfer the heat into your home. Look for the ENERGY STAR label when purchasing a new appliance and visit the ENERGY STAR web site at http://energystar.gov or call toll free 1-888-STAR-YES (888-782-7937) | ||||||||||||
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