Energy

Energy Saving Tips

• Switch to LED bulbs: LEDs use up to 90% less energy than standard incandescent lighting and last significantly longer (U.S. Department of Energy [DOE], 2023).
• Install a smart thermostat: Program temperature setbacks for hours when you are asleep or away from home to reduce HVAC workload (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2023).
• Seal windows and door frames: Apply fresh weatherstripping and caulk around drafty frames to permanently stop conditioned air leaks (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory [LBNL], 2021).
• Clean refrigerator condenser coils: Vacuum dust off back or bottom coils twice per year to maximize appliance motor efficiency (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory [PNNL], 2022).
• Set water heater to 120°F: Lowering the maximum temperature from 140°F saves energy and prevents accidental scalding (DOE, 2024).
• Insulate your water heater tank: Wrap older tanks in an insulation blanket to reduce standby heat loss by up to 45% (DOE, 2023).
• Utilize ceiling fans strategically: Run blades counterclockwise in summer for a wind-chill effect, allowing a 4°F thermostat increase without comfort loss (EPA, 2023).
• Wash laundry in cold water: Roughly 90% of a washing machine's total energy consumption goes solely toward heating the water (Golden, 2010).
• Air-dry your laundry: Use an indoor drying rack or outdoor clothesline instead of running an electric clothes dryer to eliminate a major home energy drawer (National Renewable Energy Laboratory [NREL], 2022).
• Clean the dryer lint trap: Clear the screen before every load to ensure optimal airflow and reduce drying cycle times (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2021).
• Use wool dryer balls: Throw them into the dryer to naturally separate clothes, reduce static, and cut drying time by up to 25% (Electric Power Research Institute, 2019).
• Unplug "vampire" electronics: Keep standby power usage zero by unplugging chargers, game consoles, and small kitchen appliances when idle (LBNL, 2022).
• Utilize smart power strips: Connect desk or entertainment systems to power strips that automatically cut electricity to idle components (NREL, 2021).
• Defrost manual freezers regularly: Do not let ice buildup exceed a quarter-inch, as frost layers insulate coils and force the compressor to work harder (PNNL, 2023).
• Keep your fridge and freezer full: Solid items retain cold better than empty air space, keeping temperature fluctuations minimal when opened (DOE, 2024).
• Open window blinds for daylighting: Maximize natural sunlight during daytime hours instead of switching on overhead light fixtures (LBNL, 2023).
• Close blinds during peak heat: Block direct summer sunlight with thick curtains or blinds to reduce solar heat gain by up to 77% (DOE, 2022).
• Bake multiple dishes simultaneously: Optimize oven heat usage by cooking items together rather than running heat cycles sequentially (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy [ACEEE], 2020).
• Keep the oven door closed: Use the oven light to check food progress; opening the door drops internal temperatures by 25°F (ACEEE, 2020).
• Match pots to burner sizes: Using a small pot on a large stove burner wastes excess thermal energy around the sides (DOE, 2023).
• Cook with lids on pots: Trapping steam reduces cooking times and lowers energy consumption on gas or electric stoves (ACEEE, 2021).
• Use small appliances first: Opt for microwaves, toaster ovens, or air fryers over a full-sized oven for small meals to cut cooking energy by 50% (DOE, 2024).
• Turn off lights instantly: Form a habit of flipping switches off whenever leaving a room empty, even for a few minutes (EPA, 2023).
• Upgrade to Energy Star appliances: Look for the federal certification label when replacing broken major household appliances to guarantee top-tier efficiency (EPA, 2024).
• Plant shade trees strategically: Plant deciduous trees on south and west home exposures to naturally block harsh summer sun and reduce AC costs (U.S. Forest Service, 2021).