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Maintain and use your air conditioner wisely

• Set the thermostat at 78° or higher and dress appropriately.
• Clean or replace filters at least once a month.
• Turn off the air conditioner when you are going to be gone for several hours and draw the shades to keep heat out. It takes less energy to re-cool the house when you return than it does to keep it cool while you are gone.
• Keep heat-generating appliances away from the thermostat, minimizing the use.
• Complement your air conditioner by using fans (fans use much less electricity than an air conditioner).

Lights/ Ceiling Fans/ Draperies

• Again use compact fluorescent lights (CFL) they use as little as ¼ the amount of electricity used by incandescent bulbs.
• Turn off all unnecessary lights and electronics.
• Put a fan blowing in a window on the cool side of the house which will push out hot air while pulling cool air into the rest of the house.
• Turn ceiling fans counter-clockwise to push air down and keep rooms cool in summer.
• Close shades during the day to reduce solar heat gains.
• Open shades and blinds on cool but sunny days.
• White blinds, shades and curtains reflect sunlight (dark colors absorb it).
• Close storm windows and doors to keep cool air in.

Water heaters/ Insulation

• Reduce the thermostat on your water heater.
• Make sure attics and exterior walls and floors are properly insulated.
• Eliminate air leaks between the air conditioner and window with foam insulation or weather stripping.

Landscaping

• Air conditioners work more efficiently when shaded (but make sure trees and shrubs do not block air flow).
• Plant deciduous trees on the west and south sides of your yard, you can shade your home from sunlight during the hottest parts of the day.
• Rocks and cement hold and radiate heat.

Other tips

• On very hot days, minimize the use of dryers, washers, ovens, stoves and other appliances that generate heat.
• Days when the temperature reaches 90° or more, it is best to wait until after 6:00 pm before cooking, doing laundry and washing dishes.

Adjust Thermostat Temperature

• Turn down the thermostat. Reduce the temp from 70° to 65° while you are home, and turn it down to 60 or 55 while you’re away or asleep.
• Dress in warm/ layered clothing.
• Close off an unused room entirely.
• Lock windows, it tightens the seal to stop heat leaks.
• Entertaining friends, turn down the thermostat a degree or two before they arrive. The additional body heat will make up the difference.

Water heaters

• Set the temperature on your water heater at an appropriate level. 115° or 120° should be warm enough to meet household needs.

Furnace systems

• Change furnace filter regularly.
• If you have a natural gas furnace, check the pilot light periodically. It should be steady blue flame.

Lighting / Ceiling Fans/ Draperies

• Install compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL). CFL use dramatically less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last much longer.
• Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Turn off or unplug computer, TVs and other electronic device when you are not using them or away for a few days.
• Set ceiling fans to run clockwise in the winter. This will draw air up and keep warm air circulating.
• Keep blinds, shades and draperies open during the day to allow sunlight in to warm your home (but close them at night for insulation purposes).

Insulation

• Make sure the attic, all exterior walls and floors are properly insulated, along with basements or crawl spaces.
• Look for dirty spots in your insulation, which often indicate holes where air leaks into and out of your house.

Other tips

• Close refrigerator door quickly.
• Turn up the temp a few degrees in your refrigerator and save quite a few dollars.
• Don’t preheat oven any longer than necessary.
• Keep oven door closed while food is cooking.
• Wash and rinse dishes in double sink and not under running water.
• Use extra blankets instead of electric blankets.
• Take showers that are 7 minutes or less.
• Install high-efficiency showerhead and faucet aerator.
• Turn off water while brushing your teeth.
• Wash only full loads in cold water in clothes washer.
• Dry only full loads in clothes dryer and wash loads back-to-back to take advantage of built-up heat.