Energy saving tips.
Heating and cooling.
- Keep the thermostat at 72 degrees or lower during the heating season. A one-degree change in the thermostat setting can cost you an additional 3% in energy costs. Lowering your thermostat from 72 degrees to 68 degrees during the heating season could save 12%
- Don’t keep changing your thermostat. Find the right level and leave it.
- On hot days, minimize the heat entering your home from outside by closing shades or curtains.
- Change your furnace filter at least monthly year around. A dirty filter can increase your heating and cooling costs by more than 10%. Filters can be purchased at Lowes, Wal-Mart etc for less than $2.00. The filter size is 16”x20”
- Shop around for the best electric rate. See your electric bill for details.
- Consider a budget plan for an even billing cost year around.
*** A thermostat change of more than 2 degrees will cause the heat pump to bypass and auxiliary heat will come on. The heat pump is more efficient to operate. Tip - keep temperature increase adjustments to 2 degrees or less.
In cold weather auxiliary heat will come on as needed.
If the emergency heat light or malfunction light comes on call the office and we will schedule a service call.
Kitchen
- Pre-heat your oven just long enough to reach the correct temperature. Turn it off five to ten minutes early before removing food from the oven.
- Bake several dishes at the same time. It uses no more energy—you get two or more for the price of one.
- Use a microwave oven when possible. A microwave uses up to 50% less energy than a conventional oven.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer as full as possible. A half-empty appliance uses more energy.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Opening the doors cause the appliance to use more energy.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer at the right temperature. If they’re only 10 degrees colder than necessary, your operating costs will go up an amazing 25%. Refrigerators should be between 38 and 42 degrees and the freezer between 0 and 5 degrees.
- When using your dishwasher, use short cycles for everything but the dirtiest dishes. This can save up to 25% on hot water and electrical usage. If your dishwasher has an air-dry setting, use it instead of the heat-dry setting. You can save up to 15 to 50% of your energy costs by air drying dishes.
Laundry
- Washers and dryers can account for as much as 25% of electrical usage. When running these appliances always use a full load. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after each use. This will keep the dryer from running longer. Consider washing in cold water rather than hot or warm.
- Consider a high efficiency washing machine. The benefits include:
- use 40% less water, less hot water useage.
- use half the energy,
- use 30-75% less detergent,
- reduce time in the dryer, less dryer energy use
- result in less shrinkage,
- increase the life of your clothing.
General Tips
- Compact fluorescent light bulbs will last up to ten times longer than comparable incandescent bulbs and will produce the same level of light for one-fourth of the operating cost. They will also reduce your home’s cooling load, as they do not produce heat.
- Turn off lights when possible and remove unwanted light bulbs where light is too bright.
- When replacing light bulbs use a lower wattage.
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