- Turn off and unplug all electronics and appliances not in use, including TVs, DVD players, computers, phone chargers, coffee makers, etc.
- Wash full loads of laundry using cold water. Because water heating makes up about 90 percent of energy used by laundry machines, using cold water will decrease energy use significantly.
- Always dry full loads of laundry in your dryer and, whenever possible, dry several loads consecutively; using your dryer back-to-back saves energy because the dryer doesn’t have to warm up each time.
- Clean the lint trap in your dryer before you press start and add a tennis ball or clean, dry towel to improve air circulation and reduce drying time.
- Don’t leave hot water running; turn off the faucet when you’re brushing your teeth, shaving or doing dishes.
- Install energy-saving showerheads, faucets and flow restrictors.
- Use dimmer switches or timers on your lights and always turn lights off when you exit a room.
- Defrost your refrigerator or freezer whenever ice builds up more than one-quarter of an inch.
- Avoid using the oven on hot days; instead, cook on the stove, use a microwave, or grill outside.
- Clear the area where your air conditioner vents to the outside to ensure good ventilation.
- Save on cooling costs by setting your thermostat to 75-78°F when you’re at home, health permitting. Set it to 85°F when you’re away for more than a few hours.
- Wait until cooler times of the day to do tasks that make your house warmer, including laundry and cooking.
- Minimize dryer use; let your clothes air dry by hanging them outside.
- Open your windows and let cooler air flow into your home in the morning and at night. Cover your windows during the day to block the hot sun.
- Check the filter on your air conditioning system and clean or replace it if it’s dirty.
- If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort.
- Turn down your heater when using your fireplace. When you’re not using it, close the damper to prevent cold air from entering.
- Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close curtains, shades, and blinds at night to help prevent warm air from escaping.
- When you’re at home, set the furnace thermostat at 68°F or lower, health permitting. Three to five percent more energy is used for each degree the furnace is set above 68°F.
- When you leave the house, set the thermostat to 56°F. By turning your thermostat back 10-15 degrees for 8 hours; you can save 5-15 percent a year on your heating bill.
- Seal air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes (“plumbing penetrations”), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.
- Add caulk or weather-stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows.