As much as half of
the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So
making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating,
and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your
utility bills — and your comfort.
- If possible, keep your room air conditioner out of the sun. Room
air conditioners work best when kept cool. Installing one in a
north-facing wall is usually ideal.
-Consider installing a ceiling fan. During hot weather a ceiling
fan will create a cool breeze and keep the air circulating in
your home.
- Get rid of
hot air. Use an exhaust fan to blow hot air out of your kitchen
while you’re cooking. The savings on your cooling costs far
outweigh the electricity used by the fan. Also, take lukewarm
showers and baths to avoid humid air, which holds more heat.
-Close
blinds, drapes and shades during the hottest part of the day.
This keeps the strong sunlight from heating your home.
-Instead of using your oven or stove, which can generate heat on
an already hot day, fire up the outdoor grill for cooking. You
can also use your microwave or other countertop appliances in
place of the stove or oven.
-
Dirty filters
restrict airflow and can cause the system to run longer,
increasing energy use. Replace filters when summer starts to get
the best out of your air conditioning unit.
- Keep bedroom
& closet doors, kitchen vents, & fireplace dampers closed when
not in use.
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PLUMBING ENERGY SAVING TIPS
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Turn your water
heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to save money on your
electricity bill. If you have children in the house, this is
also a safety measure.
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Surprise! Your
dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand. Then let
dishes air-dry to save even more!
-Use your washing machine and dishwasher only when you have a
full load. This reduces your hot water heating costs by $10 to
$20 a month.
-Install
low flow showerheads. If you do not already have them, low-flow
showerheads and faucets can drastically cut your hot water
expenses. Savings of 10-16 percent of water heating costs.
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Postpone laundry and dishwashing until nighttime to avoid
generating extra heat in your home. Also, consider taking
advantage of the warmer air and dry your laundry outside.
-Toilets consume more than 40% of your total water usage.
Installation of a new toilet flapper and gill valve will keep your
toilet running efficiently.
-Dripping faucet can waste as much as 150 gallons of water each
day, or 4,500 gallons per month. Repair the faucet to save water
and reduce your water bill.
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