Here, we’ll show you how to use less energy and positively impact the environment and your budget. Whether you’re a homeowner, a business owner, or just curious, we have tips and resources to help you save energy. Let’s work together to reduce energy use, cut costs, and create a greener future.
No-Cost Tips
- Adjust your thermostat. Turning the thermostat up or down (depending on the season) when your home is not occupied or at night can save about 1 percent for each degree the thermostat is raised or lowered for an 8-hour period. Remember that if you have an infant or an elderly person living in your home, they may require cooler or warmer temperatures to stay healthy. Use your best judgment.
- Turn off appliances when not in use. Appliances still draw energy even when they’re off or in standby mode.
- Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Five 100-watt incandescent light bulbs left on for five hours a day cost $91.25 to run for a year at 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. Lights also have an additional cost in the summer. They produce heat. If left on, they cause your air conditioner to operate more to cool the house.
- Wash only a whole load of dishes in the dishwasher. Do not use the dry cycle. Allow dishes to air dry or towel dry them instead.
- Use cold water to wash clothes. Wash only full loads.
- Set the temperature on your electric water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you leave the house for long periods, consider turning the water heater off. You don’t need to have hot water when you’re on vacation.
- Hang clothes to dry. Be careful if hanging clothes indoors to avoid excess moisture and mold issues.
- Use smaller appliances when possible. Use a toaster oven or microwave whenever possible to reduce energy usage.
- Keep lids on pans when cooking. Water will boil faster, and food will cook faster when covered because heat is not lost to surrounding air, saving you money.
Low-Cost Tips
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. Switching to LED light bulbs offers significant energy savings over incandescent, halogen, and compact fluorescent alternatives. On average, LEDs consume 80% less energy when compared to incandescent light bulbs.
- Install an insulated blanket on your water heater. The blankets generally cost around $20 and can pay for themselves easily in the first year in energy savings.
- Install insulation on the hot water pipe that leaves the water heater. Insulating can raise the hot water temperature in pipes by 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to have a lower setting on the water heater. It also will help conserve water by lowering the waiting times for hot water at the tap.
- Reduce air leaks into and out of the house. One of the most significant energy drains in a home is air leaks. Over time, houses settle, and the weather-stripping and caulking around outside doors can infiltrate your home. Install a fresh bead of caulk around windows and outside door trim. Ensure weather-stripping is still resilient and seals outside doors and windows; otherwise, replace them.
- Ensure your air conditioning and heating systems are running as efficiently as possible. Have a certified technician check your systems periodically. Check filters at least once a month and clean or replace them as needed.
We hope you’ve found valuable information to help you start your journey towards a more sustainable and efficient lifestyle. To explore even more energy-saving tips and resources, please visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s website. Together, we can significantly impact the environment and our future.