Seasonal Energy Tips
Translated Energy Saving Tips
Spring Energy Savings Tips
- Adjust your thermostat based on the weather. For cold weather, set it at 68 degrees or lower when you are at home and up to 10 degrees cooler when you are away or at night. If it’s warm outside, have the air conditioner turn on when it is 78 degrees. A programmable or smart thermostat can do this automatically.
- Manage the sun. Keep window treatments open on cool days to let in the warm sun, and close them on hot days to keep your home cool.
- Get your air conditioning unit professionally serviced. Make sure your AC unit is ready to cool you down during hot weather and is free of outside debris.
- Open windows to naturally cool your home.
- Use fans, instead of or with air conditioners, as the weather warms. Switch the rotation of ceiling fans counterclockwise and operate them at a slow rate to circulate cold air down from the ceiling.
- Replace furnace filters regularly. If you have a central air conditioning system, air continues to travel through your furnace system. Filters can help with allergens, and clean filters keep your mechanical systems working efficiently.
- Sign up for the air conditioning cycling program offered by your local utility if you have central air conditioning. You receive a discount for allowing the utility to cycle your air conditioner on and off during peak energy times.
- Take short showers instead of baths to reduce hot water consumption in your home.
- Use the bathroom fan to prevent excess heat and humidity from escaping into the rest of your home.
- Clean refrigerator coils while you are spring cleaning. You should clean coils twice a year or more frequently if you have pets.
Summer Energy Savings Tips
- Adjust your air conditioner. The Department of Energy recommends setting the temperature at 78 degrees. This allows you to be energy efficient and remain comfortable.
- Use a programmable thermostat with an auto setting to control when your air conditioning turns on and off during the day.
- Sign up for the air conditioning cycling program offered by your local utility if you have central air conditioning. You receive a discount for allowing the utility to cycle your air conditioner on and off during peak energy times.
- Use fans instead of, or with, air conditioners. Fans can make you feel 4 degrees cooler. Turn fans off when you leave the room to save energy. A fan makes you feel cooler; it doesn’t reduce the room temperature.
- Remove obstacles from air vents and fans to ensure proper air flow throughout your home.
- Avoid placing lamps or TVs near the thermostat. Thermostats can detect heat from these appliances and can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
- Open windows in the morning and evening to allow cool air to flow in. On hot days, close windows and curtains to maintain cool temperatures.
- Use the bathroom fan to remove excess heat and humidity from escaping into the rest of your home.
- Avoid cooking, baking, and running appliances, such as a clothes dryer, that generate heat during the warmest parts of the day.
- Look for an Energy Star-rated model when it’s time to replace your appliance and mechanical systems. It will use less energy and save you money over time, and you may qualify for a rebate from your utility company.
Fall Energy Savings Tips
- Adjust your thermostat. The Department of Energy recommends setting the temperature at 68 degrees when you are awake and turning it down by as much as 10 degrees while you are away or asleep.
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat to control when your furnace turns on and off throughout the day.
- Service your furnace to make sure it runs efficiently as the weather starts to cool down.
- Use the sun. Open your curtains and blinds throughout the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home.
- Check windows and doors for leaks and seal leaks before the cold weather arrives.
- Layer up. Bundle up during the colder months to stay comfortable and reduce energy costs.
- Cook and bake efficiently. Use lids on pots and pans to reduce cooking time. Bake multiple things at once. Use crockpots, toaster ovens, and microwaves to save energy.
- Keep fridge and freezers full, but not crowded. If your fridge or freezer is empty, fill milk jugs with water to fill up space, and throw out old food if it’s too full.
- Inspect and clean your fireplace. Make sure your fireplace is safe. Close fireplace dampers when you are not using the fireplace to prevent heat from escaping.
- Redirect ceiling fans. Switch the rotation of ceiling fans to clockwise and operate them at a slow rate to circulate warm air down from the ceiling.
Winter Energy Savings Tips
- Adjust your thermostat. The Department of Energy recommends setting the temperature at 68 degrees when you are awake and turning it down (up to 10 degrees) while you are away or asleep. Be sure to never lower the temperature below 55 degrees to prevent frozen pipes.
- Use the sun. Open window treatments to let the sun in during the day to heat your home naturally. At night, close them to trap the heat inside.
- Cover up air leaks. Use plastic film on windows if they are leaking. Use door draft stoppers to keep cold air out – a rolled-up towel works.
- Cook and bake efficiently. Use lids on pots and pans to reduce cooking time. Bake multiple things at once. Use crockpots, toaster ovens, and microwaves to save energy.
- Celebrate the holidays with LED lights. If you decorate with lights, purchase LED holiday lights and keep them on timers.
- Have your furnace/boiler serviced each year, and change furnace filters regularly. This will ensure the unit is running safely and efficiently
- Use space heaters safely and efficiently. Space heaters can be expensive to run. Only have space heaters on when you are in the room, and keep items around them at a safe distance.
- Bundle up. Warm clothes, blankets, and socks are key in the winter. Rugs are another great way to help your home feel warmer.
- Inspect and clean your fireplace. Make sure your fireplace is safe. Close fireplace dampers when you are not using them to prevent heat from escaping.
- Redirect ceiling fans. Switch the rotation of ceiling fans to clockwise and operate them at a slow rate to circulate warm air down from the ceiling.