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These no-cost or low-cost tips are easy ways to save
energy and money.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact
fluorescents.
- Air-dry dishes instead of using your
dishwasher's drying cycle.
- Use a microwave oven instead of a conventional
electric range or oven.
- Turn off your computer and monitor when not in
use.
- Plug home electronics, such as TVs and VCRs,
into power strips and turn power strips off when
equipment is not in use.
- Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater;
115° is comfortable for most uses.
- Take showers instead of baths to reduce hot
water use.
- Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
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Landscaping is a natural and beautiful way to keep
your home more comfortable and reduce energy bills.
- Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning
units, but not block the airflow. A unit operating
in the shade uses less electricity.
- Grown on trellises, vines such as ivy or
grapevines can shade windows or the whole side of a
house.
- Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rock,
cement, or asphalt on the south or west sides
because it increases the temperature around the
house and radiates heat to the house after the sun
has set.
- Find more tips at the Energy Savers
landscaping page.
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Deciduous trees planted on
the south and west sides will keep your house
cool in the summer. |
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 Long-Term
Savings Tip — Trees provide shading and cooling.
Just three trees, properly placed around a house, can
save between $100 and $250 annually in cooling and
heating costs. Daytime air temperatures can be 3° to 6°
cooler in tree-shaded neighborhoods. |
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During the hot weather you can cut your cooling costs
and lower your energy bill.
- Open windows and use portable or ceiling fans
instead of operating your air conditioner.
- Use a fan with your window air conditioner to
spread the cool air through your home.
- Use a programmable thermostat with your air
conditioner to adjust the setting at night or when
no one is home.
- Don't place lamps or TVs near your air
conditioning thermostat. The heat from these
appliances will cause the air conditioner to run
longer.
- More tips are available at the Energy Savers
heating and cooling page.
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Average Annual Costs for Air
Conditioning (Source - EIA) |
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Long-Term Savings Tips — If your air conditioner
is old, the new energy efficient models can save you up
to 50% on your cooling bills. Look for the ENERGY STAR®.
Consider installing a whole house fan or evaporative
cooler if appropriate for your climate. |
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During summer, sunny windows can make your air
conditioner work two to three times harder.
- Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds
to reflect heat away from the house.
- Close curtains on south- and west-facing windows
during the day.
- Install awnings on south-facing windows. Because
of the angle of the sun, trees, a trellis, or a
fence will best shade west-facing windows.
- Apply sun-control or other reflective films on
south-facing windows.
- Read more at the Energy Savers
windows page.
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Windows with spectrally
selective coatings on the glass reflect some
sunlight, keeping rooms cooler. |
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Long-Term
Savings Tip — If you want to replace your windows,
consider the new double-pane windows with spectrally
selective coatings. Look for the ENERGY STAR®. |
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Air leaks can waste energy dollars year-round.
- Caulking and weatherstripping will keep cool air
in during the summer.
- If you see holes or separated joints in your
ducts, hire a professional to repair them.
- Add insulation around air conditioning ducts
when they are located in unconditioned spaces such
as attics, crawl spaces, and garages.
- Check to see that your fireplace damper is
tightly closed.
- Visit the Energy Savers
insulation and weatherization page for more
information.
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Long-Term Savings Tip — Invest in insulation.
Visit the
DOE Zip-Code Insulation Program for R-values
specific to your home. |
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Copyright 2010 Energy Planning Consultants, Inc. - All Rights
Reserved |
