Cost-saving tips always in season
January 6, 2009
I know our recent weather is going to raise my utility bill. What can I do to cut my energy use?
There are several low- and no-cost energy saving measures you can take. However, whether there’s a blizzard blowing or not, its just common sense to take these steps.
Heating
Heating of space is the largest energy user in your home. Lower the thermostat as much as you can and still be comfortable. For every degree you lower it for an eight-hour period, you’ll save between 1 and 2 percent on the heating bill. If you have a heat pump, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for setting the thermostat. Make sure heat vents are not blocked and change the furnace filter often. If you have zonal heat, close off unused rooms and turn down thermostats to 50 degrees or 55 degrees in those rooms.
Weatherstrip around doors and windows or place a piece of old carpet or a rolled up towel at the bottom of outside doors and leaky windows to keep warm air from escaping.
Hot water
The second largest energy user in most homes is the water heater. Reduce the water heater setting to 120 degrees, or a bit higher if you use a lot of hot water. Fix leaky faucets immediately — a drip of hot water per second wastes 2,300 gallons of water a year along with the electricity needed to heat it. Install energy-efficient faucet aerators and shower heads.
Lighting & electronics
Turn off the lights in empty rooms. Change incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs where possible. The latter uses 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer. Recycle used compact fluorescent bulbs at Clark Public Utilities. Turn off computers, TVs, battery chargers and other electronics when not in use.
Appliances
Set the refrigerator to 37 degrees and freezers to 0 degrees and fill them to capacity for maximum efficiency. Rather than using the oven, cook in the microwave or in smaller appliances that use less energy. Run the dishwasher with only full loads and use the energy-save cycle and air-dry dishes. Wash full loads in your clothes washer and use cold water when possible.
