Save Energy Save Money

Summer

Your thermostat gives you control of your energy savings. By adjusting your setting to 78°F could save you as much as $255 per year. Try to incorporate additional actions to improve comfort as you find the setting that is right for you. For instance, closing drapes or blinds on sunny days will keep the sun from heating the room, and using a ceiling fan will cool people in a room. Just remember to turn the fan off when the room is unoccupied.

Close window treatments — such as shades, blinds and curtains — on hot, sunny summer afternoons to reduce solar heat gain and the need for air conditioning.

Exterior shading devices — awnings, louvers and shutters — block direct sunlight, which helps to reduce solar heat gain. Awnings installed on windows that have a southern exposure can reduce solar heat gain as much as 65%.

A cool breeze feels great on a hot day. It also helps to force warm air out of your home. Open windows during the coolest part of the day or night and close them during the hot afternoon.

Ventilated attics reduce accumulated heat, and are up to 30°F cooler than unventilated attics. Louvers and roof vents, when properly sized and placed, help prevent heat buildup and moisture in your attic.

Dirty filters restrict airflow, making it harder for that cool air to reach your living space. Change the filter at the beginning of the cooling season and regularly thereafter according to manufacturer's guidelines.

Changing your filter properly is critical to indoor comfort and furnace efficiency. By changing your filter regularly, you’ll save energy and money, and you’ll be breathing better-quality indoor air. Are you doing it the right way?

Keep these tips in mind.

Do:

Change your filter regularly

Typically, you should replace your filter at least every two or three months.

Check your filter rating

You will probably need a filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) between 12 and 20.

Get a tuneup

Changing your filter isn’t enough to ensure comfort and efficiency. Hire a licensed professional to check your furnace and air conditioner at least once a year to make sure it’s operating properly.

Don’t:

Wait until the filter is completely clogged

You should replace it as soon as it looks dirty. Any amount of dirt will reduce the efficiency of your heating or cooling system.

Buy a cheap filter

A higher-quality filter will need changed less frequently. Over the long term, it’ll probably cost the same as buying and replacing cheaper filters.

Ignore your furnace turning on and off frequently

This is a common sign of a dirty filter. Check your filter as soon as you notice this problem.

Dirty filters are a major cause of system failure. Changing filters regularly is a small investment in time and money that will make your home more comfortable and efficient, and it may save you some big headaches down the road.

You can shop for filters online at www.filterchange.coop.

Don’t surrender to energy waste. Act now to make your home more efficient and comfortable — and save money! Check out these common energy-wasting habits. If they seem familiar, maybe it’s time you started making energy efficiency a part of your daily routine.

1. Leaving the lights on in empty rooms

This is one of the most common energy-wasting habits and, luckily, one that’s easy to fix. By simply turning off lights when you leave a room, you’ll save energy and help your bulbs last longer. To save even more, install energy-efficient LEDs. They use 75% less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs and last a lot longer.

2. Not adjusting your thermostat

Adjusting the temperature of your home at night or when you are away is the most cost-effective way to save energy, but it’s easy to forget. Programmable thermostats optimize savings by automatically adjusting temperatures based on your schedule. Today’s smart models provide advanced features, such as remote control and self-programming.

3. Taking long showers

Did you know that standard shower heads use 2.5 to 3.0 gallons per minute? Just think of all the water and energy those 20-minute showers are sending down the drain. Everyone likes a hot shower, but keep it to 10 minutes or less. Also, install a low-flow shower head. They use less water than standard units.

4. Running partial loads

Operating your dishwasher or clothes washer with just a few dishes or a small amount of clothes may sometimes be convenient, but it’s a big waste of energy. Wait until your appliance is fully loaded according to manufacturer’s guidelines before you flip the switch. Your clothes or dishes will be fully cleaned, and you’ll save energy and water.

5. Forgetting to change your furnace filter

A dirty air filter forces your heating or cooling system to work harder to keep you comfortable. Change your furnace filter regularly according to manufacturer’s guidelines. Remember to have your heating and cooling system inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified professional.

6. Browsing in front of an open refrigerator

The time you spend deciding between lunchmeat and leftover pizza can cost you cold cash. Every year, the average person spends about 10 hours looking at an open refrigerator or freezer, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. That’s a lot of time for cold air to escape. Decide what you want and close the door quickly.

Change can be difficult. However, with a little extra time and effort, you can save energy and money today and all year long.

Is insulation really important? 9 out of 10 homes in the U.S. are under-insulated

Insulation is arguably the most important element in achieving energy efficiency in your home. It works to slow the flow of heat or cold through your home’s walls and ceiling. The ability of insulation to resist heat flow is measured in units of R-value.

If your home is under-insulated, adding insulation to the attic is one of the most cost-effective ways to save energy - adding attic insulation could save you up to $200 yearly energy cost.

To optimize energy savings and maximize comfort, insulation must be installed properly. As a rule, if the insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, you need to add more insulation. But if you cannot see the floor joists because the insulation is well above them, you probably have enough, and adding more insulation may not be cost-effective.

Ensure complete coverage for attic insulation. If you’re using loose-fill insulation, follow the manufacturer’s specifications to obtain coverage at consistent depths. When using batt insulation, make sure the batt completely fills the joist cavities. Overall, a complete and even installation is necessary to ensure optimal effectiveness and to maximize your savings.

For help in knowing the recommended levels of insulation in your climate zone, go to energystar.gov and click Save at Home, then Sealing and Insulation.

Now that you have the right level of insulation and it’s installed correctly, you’re good to go, right? Well, not so fast. All of that extra insulation won’t do much good if there’s a lot of air escaping through gaps or holes.

Are you struggling to keep the second story of your home cool on these sizzling summer days? As heat and hot air rises, so does the temperature in your upper level. Keeping it cool can be a challenge, even if you have an air conditioner. The key is to limit heat gain and to keep the air circulating.

These steps can help cool down your upper floor, as well as keep your entire home cool through the end of the season. No sweat!

Keep blinds and drapes closed. Close blinds or curtains when the sun is shining to reduce solar heat. Remember that light colored window coverings are most effective at blocking heat energy from the sun. Consider investing in thermal blocking drapes or insulated shades to keep your rooms cool and reduce demand on your air conditioning (AC) system.
Limit heat being created upstairs. Devices such as computers and hair dryers emit hot air. Use them downstairs to help reduce heat upstairs.
Use ceiling fans. Ceiling fans make you feel cool by circulating air and providing a cooling sensation on your skin. Be sure to set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise in the summer to push cool air downwards and turn them off when you leave to conserve energy.
Adjust the dampers. Control airflow by adjusting dampers up and down to restrict or increase airflow. If the second floor is warmer in the summer months, keep dampers on second-floor vents fully open, and only partially open the vents on the first floor to force more cool air to the second floor.
Check for air leaks. EnergyStar.gov estimates that between 25% and 40% of the money spent on cooling and heating homes is lost due to air leakage problems. Identify air leaks in your home and use caulking, weatherstripping and insulation to seal the gaps.
Turn the fan from auto to on. Use “on” instead of “auto” to keep your thermostat fan on and maintain air circulation throughout the home. This allows the entire house to stay cool, whether or not the air conditioner is running.
Evaluate ductwork. Check your ductwork for leaks or improper sizing to ensure even air distribution in every part of your home. If you don’t feel cold air coming from second floor vents, or you see old and cracked seals in your ductwork, it could be time for maintenance.
Check your air filters. Regularly change your air filters to optimize airflow — dirty filters decrease air movement.
Add portable air conditioners.
Adjust HVAC systems. Consider a zoned HVAC system, with thermostats on each floor, to control the temperature on each floor separately.
Keep heat-generating appliances off during the hottest hours. Your dryer, oven and television produce heat, causing your air conditioner to work harder. Limit use of these appliances to early morning or evening when possible and consider grilling outdoors if you plan to cook.
Don’t forget the attic: If your roof and attic area are not properly insulated, heat will seep in through the roof and heat the second floor. You can also have an attic fan or vents installed to help remove hot air from the attic.

Winter

Your thermostat gives you control of your energy savings. By adjusting your setting to 68°F could save you as much as $246 per year. Try to incorporate additional actions to improve comfort as you find the setting that is right for you. For instance, most people sleep better with a cooler temperature at night. Lowering the temperature on your heating thermostat one hour before bedtime will save money and increase comfort. A smart thermostat can be set to automate savings by turning down at night and heating up to 68 degrees or your desired temperature 30 minutes before you get up in the morning.

Have your heating system checked by a qualified professional before cold weather arrives.
Clean vents and other heating system components.
Replace your furnace filter and continue to replace it regularly throughout the heating season.
Install a programmable thermostat; it will save energy by automatically lowering temperatures at night and when you are away from home.
If your heating system is older, upgrade to an ENERGY STAR®-certified heat pump for high-efficiency year-round comfort.

Space heaters are great for providing short-term warmth in cold areas such as your basement or a workroom in the garage. However, using them long-term around your home can get really costly. If there are rooms or spaces in your home where you need extra heat, check for and seal exterior gaps and contact a qualified contractor to ensure that your home is properly insulated.

Space heaters can add over $100 to your monthly electric bill if used to heat space. So, I like to think of them as personal heaters. If there isn't a person in front of the heater - Turn It Off!

Space Heater Calculator

Your chimney is an outlet for the warm air your heating system generates. If your fireplace is not in use, keep the damper closed to prevent any warm air from going up the chimney. Check the seal on the flue damper and make sure that it is as snug as possible. Consider installing tempered glass doors and a heat exchange system that blows warm air back inside.

Have the chimney and fireplace checked and cleaned by a professional.
Repair or replace loose-fitting fireplace dampers; they will allow warm air to escape.
Keep the damper closed whenever the fireplace is not in use.
Install fireplace inserts, covers, glass doors or flue sealers to prevent heat loss through your chimney.

If some rooms or areas feel colder than others, don't just crank up the thermostat or break out the space heater; check for gaps that may be letting cold air inside. Start with windows and exterior doors. Other common culprits include exterior plumbing, wiring or exhaust vents in your basement or attic. Seal any gaps you find with weatherstripping, caulk or expandable foam insulation.

All that holiday cooking and hosting can result in unwelcome extra energy use. Consider these cost-cutting measures.

Cook holiday meals efficiently. All that extra baking and cooking can fatten your energy bills. Match pots and pans to the size of your burners to avoid wasting energy. Use heat-retaining glass or ceramic cookware when possible. Bake multiple batches of cookies and pies at one time to optimize energy use.
Read the temperature of the room. Turn down the temperature when holiday guests arrive. Extra bodies in the house mean extra heat at no cost to you. A smart, programmable thermostat can adjust the temperature automatically based on your schedule, habits and weather conditions.
Clean up energy waste. When your holiday meal is done, scrape dishes instead of rinsing them before loading them into the dishwasher. To optimize energy use, wait until the dishwasher is fully loaded before running it.
Give the gift of energy savings. Energy-efficient devices, such as LED bulbs and smart power strips, make great stocking stuffers. For gadget lovers and do-it-yourselfers on your gift list, consider smart thermostats and water-efficient fixtures.

Switch to ENERGY STAR®-certified LED decorative lights. LED bulbs use significantly less energy than conventional lights while still providing vivid colors.
Use a timer to automatically turn lights off late at night and during daylight hours.
Pull the plug on energy-hogging inflatable decorations.
Get creative and make handmade decorations that don't use energy, such as a wreath.

Proper insulation is essential both for keeping your house warm and saving on winter heating costs. Contact a qualified insulation control to inspect your home to ensure that it's properly insulated for your climate zone.
Check in your attic and basement for gaps around flue vents and joists, as well as exterior piping and wiring. Seal with insulation cutouts, as well as caulking or expandable foam.

Common Culprits

Gaps around windows, exterior doors and other places may be letting conditioned air escape.

Your home needs a small amount of indoor/outdoor air change to maintain fresh air. But too much infiltration can significantly increase a home’s heating and cooling bills. All that insulation won’t be as effective if energy is escaping through gaps or holes in your house.

1 – Plumbing penetrations should be sealed with an aerosol form sealant to reduce infiltration and reduce entry pathways for vermin.

2 – Recessed lighting can be a major path of energy loss, each serving as a mini-chimney.

3 – Attic entrances are potential sources of energy loss. They should be well insulated and weatherstripped.

4 – Sill plates, where outside walls join floors, should be caulked during new construction to better control infiltration.

5 – Water heater and furnace flues should be installed in compliance with existing codes. If allowed by the appliance manufacturers and local codes, consider using flue dampers to reduce the “chimney effect” when these appliances cycle off.

6 – Ducts should be properly insulated and sealed. They can be a MAJOR source of energy waste and reduced occupant comfort.

7 – Exterior door frames should be properly weatherstripped. If you can see light coming in between the door and its frame, you should be concerned about air leakage.

8 – Chimney flashing – helps reduce the upward draft between the outside of the chimney wall and the interior wall space it is connected to.

9 – Window frames should be properly weatherstripped. Pay attention to where the bottom sash meets the window sill. Also, look at where the top of the bottom sash meets the bottom of the top sash. They should sleeve together tightly when the window is closed. Always make sure when windows are down, they are locked to tighten the seal.

10 – Electrical outlet infiltration can be reduced by using insulating foam plugs usually available at local home supply stores.

If you are replacing your windows or upgrading your home's exterior, replacing your single pane or older metal frame windows with ENERGY STAR® high-efficiency windows is an investment that will increase thermal comfort, decrease sound transmission and save up to $856on your energy bill. Adding interior or exterior storm windows to your single pane windows will also significantly increase comfort and decrease your energy bill. There are even options for historic homes and neighborhoods, where maintaining the original windows is preferred. Also, by closing your blinds during the day in the summer and opening your blinds during the day in the winter you will work with the sun to increase comfort and energy savings.

Although upgrading to new energy-efficient windows will reduce your energy costs, an expensive window replacement project may not fit your budget. Fortunately, there are a number of simple, low-cost measures you can take to improve the efficiency of your existing windows.

1. Weatherize

Caulking and weatherstripping are two of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reduce leaks and drafts due to small cracks and gaps around window frames. Use caulk to seal gaps around window frames. Install weatherstripping to tighten window panels, while leaving room for opening and closing.

2. Use window treatments

Shades, blinds, and draperies save energy by reducing summer heat gain and winter heat loss. Lower shades on sunlit windows in the summer. In the winter, raise shades on south-facing windows during the day and lower them at night.

Interior blinds can reduce solar heat gain by up to 45%, although they provide little protection against winter heat loss.

3. Install storm windows

Storm windows save energy by reducing air leakage. They can be installed on the inside or outside of windows and are available in plastic or glass.

Do a lot of research before replacing your old windows. And keep in mind that you will not see a huge energy savings by replacing old windows. Older, single-pane windows have an R-value of R-1 while an ENERGY STAR-certified double-pane window has an R-value of R-3.

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) and ENERGY STAR websites provide information you need when researching replacement windows.

Automate your savings with a Smart thermostat and save up to $500 per year by holding 68°F for heating and 78°F for cooling when you are home and automatically setting to 55°F for heating and 85°F for cooling when you are away. Smart thermostats use advanced technology and user programming to automatically adjust temperature settings to keep you comfortable and save on heating and cooling costs. Make sure to maximize savings by increasing cooling and decreasing heating setpoints when you are away for more than an hour, as well as adjusting the heat to a lower temperature at night.

If you have your house professionally weatherized, you could save up to $400 a year. Improving the enclosure of your home to make it more air tight and to decrease the heating and cooling losses across walls, windows, floors and ceilings can make a big impact on utility bills and your comfort. A weatherization professional can identify and solve problems that give you the biggest bang for your buck, as well as identify underlying health and safety concerns. Typically, attics and crawl spaces or basements provide opportunity for savings by air sealing and then adding insulation, and a professional will customize recommendations to your home and concerns.

You can save up to $45 per year on utility costs and also increase the comfort and durability of your home by improving the air tightness and insulation. It is important to keep the inside air in and the outside air out. Holes made for plumbing and wires allow air and pests to travel from outside to inside your home. Look for holes from inside the house under sinks and behind toilets, and seal them with caulk or expanding spray foam. To start, look for holes in your basement or crawlspace ceiling under bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms and where wiring or plumbing goes up into walls. Smaller holes can be sealed with caulk and expanding spray foam. Larger holes, typical around toilet and tub waste pipes, may require using a solid material such as foam board or plywood to bridge the gap. If you have a fireplace, one large hole can be the fireplace flue. Make sure that the fireplace damper is closed at all times when the fireplace is not in use.

You can save up to $21 by replacing your old refrigerator or freezer with an ENERGY STAR® qualified model. Older refrigerators use as much as 33% more electricity than new ENERGY STAR® qualified models. Make sure that your refrigerator door seals/gaskets are soft, clean, and form a complete seal between the case and doors. If they are worn, cracked, or have become too stiff, it is typically easy for you to replace them. This repair will save energy and reduce condensation inside your refrigerator. When you get a new refrigerator, remember to recycle the older one. If you have an "extra" refrigerator, you may be spending more money than you realize on electricity. Most refrigerators use around $80 per year in electricity. Consider moving those items to your primary refrigerator and recycling the old one.

Set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees, Medium, or B, depending on your options, to save up to $39 per year. For a properly sized tank, this setting should provide sufficient hot water while minimizing water heating costs. You may be able to lower the temperature slightly in summer, as the water coming in through the cold water lines will be warmer. Save money on your energy bill and help your clothes last longer by washing them in cold water. Modern clothes washers and detergents are effective under most conditions when using cold water for both wash and rinse cycles. Follow detergent directions to find the proper amount for your washing machine.

Water heating is another big energy user in most homes. Install water-efficient showerheads and faucet aerators, which use less water to provide a comfortable flow. Also, take shorter showers of 10 minutes or less and turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. Wait for full loads before running your dishwasher or clothes washer.

Hot water is essential for home comfort, but it doesn't come cheap. The average household spends over $500 per year on water heating, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Note: if you have teenagers in your house, you will be above average.

Here are some tips to stop hot water energy waste:

Set the water heater thermostat to 120 F. For every 10 F the temperature is increased, you spend up to 5% in energy costs.
Save significantly on water heating costs by fixing leaks in faucets, shower heads, and pipes.
If your tank is warm to the touch, it needs extra insulation. Adding insulation can reduce heat loss by up to 45%.

The hour shower

The energy cost for a 15-minute shower using a standard shower head is about 25 cents. If 25 cents doesn't sound like much, consider that a family of four averages 1,400 showers a year. At 25 cents a shower, that adds up to more than $350 a year.

Cutting down on the amount of time spent taking a shower and using a low-flow shower head can significantly reduce energy waste. Remember this tip if you have teenagers in the house.

Safety check

Check for water on the floor under your water heater. Slight fractures can occur from corrosion inside the tank that eats away at the metal tank causing it to leak. Small leaks may not seem like an urgent issue, but fractures put you at risk of a tank burst that could cause water damage to your home.

Finally, if your water heater is older or in need of repair, installing a new, energy-efficient model can reduce your energy waste. Only purchase water heaters that have earned the ENERGY STAR label because they use less energy than standard models.

While lighting is a smaller fraction of energy use, switching to LED bulbs can still yield savings. LEDs use at least 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, making them a wise investment.

Upgrading your lighting to LEDs is a simple, low-cost way to cut energy use. Depending on your budget, you can do it all at once or change bulbs out over time. If you are going to replace a few at a time, prioritize the lights you use the most.

To get an idea of your potential for energy savings, complete a home inventory. Don’t just count fixtures — count bulbs and check their wattage and whether they are dimmable, three-way, or require special bases. Also note the type of bulb currently in use: incandescent, halogen, or compact fluorescent lights.

There’s a good chance your total bulb count for the average single-family home will be between 50 and 75, including hallways, garages, and storage areas.

How much money can be saved by switching to LEDs?

LEDs use 25%-30% less energy and last 8 - 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs
5 100-watt incandescent bulbs burning 3 hours a day for a month adds $7 to your electric bill.
Compare that to 5 16-watt LED bulbs will only add $1 and give the same light.

If you want to stop energy waste in your home, consider starting your own lighting revolution. Begin replacing your old bulbs, the ones you use most frequently, with LED bulbs.