Energy Insights: National Cut Your Energy Costs Day
While we should make energy efficiency a priority every day of the year, give special attention to your energy-saving efforts one day a year on January 10th, which is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day. This is the day to learn about and implement ways to save energy at home every day. A few simple improvements can help to save on energy usage and make your home more comfortable. Here are a few of our favorite tips for every room in the house:
General Tips:
Install a Programmable Thermostat. Consider switching out your current thermostat for a programmable one to help regulate the heating system in your home.
Change your Filters. A dirty filter will restrict the flow of air, and that can cause your HVAC system to work overtime, which could create unnecessary costs to your monthly energy bills.
Use Efficient Window Coverings. Your home can lose up to 50% of its heating and cooling energy through the windows. Increase your home's energy efficiency and your family's comfort by using energy-efficient window coverings.
Use Weather Stripping. Adding weather-stripping around doors and windows eliminates air leaks and can save you up to 10% in energy costs.
The Kitchen:
Keep your freezer full. Food retains cold temperatures so that a full freezer will run more efficiently than an empty one.
Be on the lookout for ENERGY STAR kitchen appliances. These will cook much more efficiently than older appliances.
Avoid preheating when possible. Often, we preheat for longer than necessary. Unless the recipe is more precise, turn the oven on when you place food inside and take advantage of all the heat.
Use lids on pots and pans. You'll capture the heat and enable yourself to use a lower setting.
Use the correct sized burner. Larger burners used for smaller pots or pans will throw off as much heat as it uses.
Invest in a convection or toaster oven. Convection and toaster ovens use less energy than heating in an oven or microwave (and it's much healthier than nuking your food).
Plan your meals and defrost ahead of time. You'll save energy when you avoid defrosting in the oven, stovetop, or microwave. Defrost overnight in the fridge.
The Laundry:
Maintain your washing machine. As with dishwashers, regular maintenance is essential to extend the life of your appliance.
Keep the lint filter clean. Empty it after each use and wash it regularly. Warm soapy water 2-3 times a year will prevent the build-up of oils, soaps, or dryer sheet films that will clog your filter and reduce your dryer's efficiency.
Don't overload the dryer. Too many clothes reduce the dryer's efficiency by taking longer to dry.
Don't over-dry clothing. Use a moisture sensor or test the clothing yourself and set the machine to the shortest drying cycle.
Dry separately. Heavy materials, such as towels or jeans, should be dried separately from lightweight clothing, which will dry faster on their own.
Ensure proper dryer ventilation. Most energy-saving tips tell you to prevent drafts, but few tell you to watch for adequate ventilation. Poor ventilation can cause overheating and lower the machine's efficiency and increase the air temperature in your home and cause an increase in your air conditioning consumption.
Dry loads back-to-back. A large part of the energy use of dryers is in getting them hot. Drying loads back-to-back will minimize the need for reheating after cooling.
The Bathroom:
Turn it down. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F).
Install low-flow faucets and showerheads. Low-flow fixtures cost about $10-$20 and achieve water savings of 25-60 percent.
Unplug appliances. Electric toothbrushes and hair dryers can still use energy even if powered off.
Use cold water. When brushing your teeth or washing your hands, only twist the right-hand faucet. Drawing hot water when you don't need it wastes the energy used to heat that water.
The Bedroom:
Stay insulated. Blackout curtains can help you sleep better while also helping you maintain the temperature of your bedroom.
Upgrade your light bulbs. Replace any incandescent light bulbs in your bedroom with light-emitting diodes (LED) or compact fluorescent lamp bulbs (CFL).
Bundle up! Use your thick comforters while sleeping so you can lower the thermostat at night.
Switch it off. Make sure to switch off personal electronics before going to sleep. Consider getting a smart power strip, which shuts off electronics that are no longer in use, to avoid high standby power costs.
