Summer Energy Savings Tips

Water Use

  • Limit shower length to 5-7 minutes.

  • Install low-flow shower heads.

  • Fix dripping faucets.

  • Don't let water run while you are shaving.

  • Don't let water run while brushing your teeth.

Laundry

  • Wash clothes in cold water. Use hot water only for very dirty loads.

  • Only do full laundry loads.

  • If you must do smaller loads, adjust the water level in the washing machine.

  • Always use cold-water rinse.

  • Use bath towels at least twice before washing them.

  • Clean your dryer's lint trap before each load.

  • Make sure the outdoor dryer exhaust door closes when the dryer is off.

  • Verify dryer vent hose is tightly connected to inside wall fitting.

  • Check that the dryer vent hose is tightly connected to dryer.

  • Make sure dryer vent hose is not kinked or clogged.

  • Minimize clothes drying time; use moisture sensor on dryer if available.

  • Dry consecutive loads to harvest heat remaining in dryer from last load.

  • Consider using a "solar-powered" clothes dryer, an old fashioned clothes line.

Kitchen

  • Use your refrigerator's anti-sweat feature only if necessary.

  • Switch your refrigerator's power-saver to “ON,” if available.

  • Clean refrigerator coils annually.

  • Set the refrigerator temperature to 34ºF - 37ºF and freezer temperature to 0ºF - 5ºF.

  • Ensure gaskets around door seal tightly.

  • Unplug unused refrigerators or freezers.

  • Use microwave for cooking when possible.

  • When cooking on the oven range, use pot lids to help food cook faster.

  • If you are heating water, use hot tap water instead of cold.

  • Remember to use the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking and turn it off after cooking.

  • Use a crockpot instead of simmering foods on the stove.

  • If rinsing dirty dishes before putting them into the dishwasher, do so with cold water.

  • Use cold water for garbage disposal.

  • Only run dishwasher when fully loaded.

  • Use air-dry cycle instead of heat-dry cycle to dry dishes.

Lighting

  • Replace any light bulb that burns more than one hour per day with its equivalent LED bulb.

  • Turn off unnecessary lighting.

  • Replace outdoor lighting with its outdoor-rated equivalent LED bulb.

  • Use fixtures with electronic ballasts and T-8, 32-watt fluorescent lamps.

  • Use outdoor security lights with a photocell and/or a motion sensor.

Electronics

  • Turn computers and monitors off when not in use.

  • Turn large-screen TV's off completely when not in use.

  • Turn off stereos and radios when not in use.

  • Remember to turn off hair curling irons and hot rollers.

  • Turn off coffee makers when not in use.

  • Turn off pool pump when not needed.

  • Unplug battery chargers when not needed.

  • Ensure all new appliances purchased are Energy Star approved.

HVAC and Cooling

  • Set thermostats to 78ºF in summer.

  • Run ceiling paddle fans on medium, blowing down in summer.

  • Change HVAC filters monthly.

  • When installing new air filters, make sure they are facing in the correct direction (look for arrow on side of filter).

  • When cooling, keep windows locked.

  • Caulk along baseboards with a clear sealant.

  • Caulk around plumbing penetrations that come through walls beneath bathroom and kitchen sinks.

  • Caulk electrical wire penetrations at the top of the interior walls.

  • Close shades and drapes during the day to help keep heat out.

  • Do not close off unused rooms that are conditioned by forced-air systems.

  • Do not close supply air registers.

  • Check to be sure return air grilles are not blocked by furniture or bookcases.

  • Ensure windows and doors are properly weather-stripped.

  • Make sure outside soffit vents are not blocked.

  • Do not use roof-top power ventilators for attic exhaust as they may evacuate conditioned air from your home.

  • Have your HVAC system serviced once per year by a NATE-certified technician.

  • Monitor your home's relative humidity in the summer. If it consistently stays in the 60 percent range or higher, ask your HVAC technician about lowering your central air conditioning unit’s indoor fan speed.

  • Ensure window A/C units are weather-stripped.

  • Ensure windows with window mounted A/C units have weather-stripping between the middle of the top and bottom pane.

  • Remove and clean window A/C filter monthly.

  • Keep "fresh-air" vents on window A/C units closed.

  • Ensure your outdoor heat pump/air conditioning unit is kept clean and free of debris.

  • In a basement, seal the sill and band joist with durable caulking or foam sealant.

  • Ensure floor registers are not blocked with rugs, drapes or furniture.

  • Outside your home, caulk around all penetrations including telephone, electrical, cable, gas, water spigots, dryer vents, etc.

  • Caulk around storm windows.

  • Caulk around basement windows.

  • Verify your supply air duct "boots" (behind supply air registers) are caulked to your ceiling or wall sheetrock or flooring.

  • If in unconditioned space, verify your ducts are tightly connected to your HVAC equipment.

  • Verify all outdoor doors (including storm doors) close and seal tightly.

  • In two-story homes serviced by one HVAC system, a paddle fan at the top of the stairs can push down hot, second-floor air.

  • Install 15 minute, spring-wound timers on bathroom ventilator fans.

  • Always run your HVAC system fan on "AUTO." Running it on "ON" uses more electricity and can decrease your air conditioner’s ability to remove moisture.

  • Keep your garage door down. A cooler garage in the summer will save energy.