Home Energy Efficiency

Home Energy Conservation

• Conserving energy and incorporating energy-efficient home improvements can save money and lower household carbon footprint.

Save Electricity

• Turning off and unplugging unused devices can conserve energy and save money.
• Plug multiple electronic devices into a power strip and turn off with one click when not in use.
• Unplug seldom-used appliances, battery chargers, and power adapters when not in use.
• Set computers to hibernate mode to save electricity.
• Look for ENERGY STAR certified products, which promote superior energy efficiency and save energy.

Save 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.
• Program thermostat to 68°F in winter and 78°F in summer to save energy.
• Open curtains in winter to let natural sunlight warm the home, and close at night to minimize heat loss.
• Close curtains in summer to keep the sun's heat out and lessen the burden on the air conditioner.
• Maintain heating and cooling systems by cleaning and replacing air filters regularly and arranging for annual maintenance.

Save on Hot Water Costs

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

Prevent Energy Loss

• Inspect the home for common energy leaks to prevent energy loss.
• Check windows for drafts and install weatherstripping 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 prevent energy escape.
• Consider having a professional home energy audit performed to identify energy leaks and improve energy efficiency.