- Use Major Appliances in "Off-peak" Hours. Energy demands are less in the winter from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Open Window Shades and Blinds. Let the sun help warm your home.
- Lower Thermostats. Set thermostats to a comfortable temperature that is as low as possible.
- Install a Programmable Thermostat. This will help prevent running your furnace all day long when no one is home.
- Put Holiday Lights on Timers. Turn on holiday lights after 7 p.m. and put them on a timer so they will turn off in the late evening.
- Set Electric Water Heaters to Lower Temperatures. Every degree lower saves power and money.
- Check your Homes's Insulation. Make sure your home is properly insulated and weather-stripped.
- Plant Deciduous Trees Near Windows. They will shade your home in the summer then shed their leaves to allow more sun during winter
- Have a Home Energy Audit Done. It will identify your energy consumption and point out ways to save energy and lower your utility bill.
- Set thermostat to 78° on hot days. On days over 100° set it to 84°. Use room fans to feel even cooler.
- Replace or clean air conditioning filters monthly or as needed.
- Shade your air conditioning condenser. But be careful not to block the free flow of air to the unit.
- Plant deciduous shrubs and trees to shade your house. Their leaves will shade your home in the summer, and then drop off to let the winter sun warm your home.
- Dust refrigerator and freezer coils at least once a year.
- Use heat producing appliances like dishwashers, clothes dryers, and irons in the morning or after 8pm.
- Keep drapes, blinds, and curtains closed to keep the sun's rays out of your home in warm weather.
- Replace weather stripping and caulking if needed.
- Patch leaks in attics and fireplaces to keep cool air in and warm air out in the summer.
- Set swimming pool filtering and sweeping equipment timers to avoid peak use hours from noon to 8pm.
- Fije el termostato a 78° en días calurosos. En los días de más de 100°, fíjelo a 84°. Use ventiladores para sentirse más fresco.
- Reemplace o limpie los filtros del aire acondicionado mensualmente o según se necesite.
- Déle sombra al condensador del aire acondicionado. Tenga cuidado de no obstruir el flujo libre del aire a la unidad.
- Plante arbustos y árboles deciduos para que den sombra a su casa. Sus hojas darán sombra a su casa en el verano, luego se caerán durante el invierno para permitir que el sol caliente su casa.
- Desempolve los tubos del refrigerador y congelador por lo menos una vez al año.
- Use electrodomésticos que producen calor como la lavadora de platos, secadora de ropa, y plancha en la mañana o después de las 8 p.m.
- Mantenga las cortinas, persianas y celosías cerradas para que no entren los rayos solares en su casa durante el tiempo de calor.
- Reemplace los sellos y el relleno de la casa si es necesario.
- Tape cualquier escape en el ático y la chimenea para mantener el aire fresco adentro y el aire caliente afuera durante el verano.
- Fije los dispositivos de tiempo del equipo para filtrar y limpiar la alberca para evitar el uso en las horas pico de mediodía a las 8 p.m.
Be sure to look at our water conversation tips too!
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