Seasonal Savings Tips

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Summer Savings Tips

Stay cool and save money with these energy efficiency tips.

  1. Clean or replace filters. Dirty filters restrict the air flow and can really hurt efficiency

  2. Raise the temperature setting on the A/C unit. One degree higher can equate to 8% + savings.

  3. Use a fan to move air around you to feel comfortable at the higher temperature setting (wind chill effect). One ceiling fan can make the area in its breeze feel cooler. Have the fan blow down. Shut the fan off when not in the room. If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting 4°F or more with no reduction in comfort.

  4. Control the humidity in the areas you are air conditioning. Up to half the cost of air conditioning is in removing humidity. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and while cooking.

  5. Seal up any outdoor leaks that blow in hot humid air into the house from outdoors.

  6. Turn off unneeded lights or any other heat generating appliances. Replace standard incandescent lights with LED's. They will give off the same light and only put off 1/3 the amount of heat.

  7. Close window shades on the south and west facing walls. Use insulating shades if possible.

  8. Make sure the outdoor coil is free of debris. Have the A/C unit serviced regularly.

  9. Raise the temperature up on the thermostat during the day if you are going to be gone 5 – 10 degrees. Avoid reintroducing humidity back into the house within a short time frame.
     

Summer thermostat settings

 

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Winter Savings Tips

If you haven't already, conduct an energy audit to find out where you can save the most, and consider making a larger investment for long-term energy savings.

  1. Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. Close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

  2. Find and seal leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings. Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows. (See diagram of common air leaks below.)

  3. Cover drafty windows. Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to help reduce infiltration.

  4. Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing.

  5. Adjust the temperature. When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. Regularly schedule service for your heating system.

  6. When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. A smart or programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.

  7. Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible.

Common air leaks