Home Energy Efficiency

Home Energy Conservation

• Energy conservation means saving energy by cutting back, while energy efficiency means saving energy through better products and innovative solutions.

Saving Electricity

• Turn off and unplug unused devices to conserve energy and save money.
• Use power strips to turn off multiple electronic devices at once.
• Unplug seldom used appliances, battery chargers, and power adapters when not in use.
• Set computers to hibernate mode to save energy.
• Look for ENERGY STAR certified products, which use less energy than conventional models.

Saving on Heating and Cooling

• Heating and cooling account for the biggest portion of most homes' energy consumption.
• Install a programmable thermostat to adjust heating and cooling needs automatically.
• Set thermostat to 68°F in winter and 78°F in summer for optimal energy efficiency.
• Open curtains in winter to let natural sunlight warm your home, and close them at night to minimize heat loss.
• Close curtains in summer to keep the sun's heat out.
• Maintain heating and cooling systems by cleaning and replacing air filters regularly and arranging for annual maintenance.

Saving on Hot Water Costs

• Take shorter showers to reduce hot water costs.
• Install low-flow showerheads to save hot water.
• Check the thermostat setting on your hot water heater and set it to 120°F to reduce water heating costs.

Preventing Energy Loss

• Inspect your home for common energy leaks to prevent energy loss.
• Check windows for drafts and install weather stripping to seal up leaks.
• Replace old windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows to cut energy bills by up to 15%.
• Increase ceiling insulation to a higher R-value (up to R-38) to reduce heat loss.
• Consider a professional home energy audit to identify areas of energy loss and improve energy efficiency.