
Energy Savings Tips Around the House
Energy Savings Tips Around the House
In the Kitchen
- Set the refrigerator temperature to 34 – 37 degrees Fahrenheit and freezer temperature to 0 – 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you are heating water on the stove, use hot tap water instead of cold.
- Use cold water for garbage disposal.
- Remember to use the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking. Turn it off after cooking.
- Use a slow-cooker instead of simmering foods on the stove.
- Use dishwasher’s air-dry cycle instead of the heat-dry cycle to dry dishes.
- Fix dripping faucets.
- If rinsing dirty dishes before putting them into the dishwasher, do so with cold water.
- Use microwave for cooking when possible.
- Turn off coffee makers when not in use.
In the Laundry Room
- Use bath towels at least twice before washing them.
- Check that the dryer vent hose is tightly connected to dryer and inside wall fitting.
- Wash clothes in cold water. Use hot water only for very dirty loads.
- Clean dryer’s lint trap before each load.
- Dry consecutive loads to harvest heat remaining in dryer from last load.
- If you must do smaller loads, adjust the water level in the washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water.
- Ensure all new appliances, electronics and lights are ENERGY STAR® labeled.
- Minimize clothes drying time by using an auto moisture sensor, if available.
- Consider using a “solar-powered” clothes dryer: an old fashioned clothes line.
- Only do full laundry loads.
In the Family Room
- Check for energy saving settings on flat-panel TVs like automatic brightness control and a power saving sleep mode.
- If you don’t unplug them, use energy-saving modes or automatic sleep functions on electronics.
- Turn off stereos and radios when not in use.
- Turn large-screen TVs off completely when not in use.
- Close shades and drapes during the day to help keep heat out in summer.
- Check to be sure return air grilles are not blocked by furniture or bookcases.
- Unplug battery chargers when not needed.
- Do not close supply air registers.
- Turn off unnecessary lighting.
- Turn off ceiling fans when leaving the room. Fans cool people, not rooms.
In the Bathroom
- Don’t let the water run while you are shaving or brushing your teeth.
- Install water saving shower heads.
- Caulk around plumbing penetrations that come through walls beneath bathroom and kitchen sinks.
- Set water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Try to limit shower length to 5-7 minutes.
- Turn off bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans 15 minutes after the job is complete or ENERGY SAVER TIP: install 15 minute timers on bathroom ventilator fans.
- Fix dripping faucets.
- Insulate exposed hot water lines.
- Use bath towels at least twice before washing them.
- Install a water heater wrap, also known as a water heater blanket, per manufacturer’s instructions.