Most of the energy used at home, 45%, comes fromheating and cooling systems.
Saving electricity in homes not only brings down the monthly bill of the consumer but also helps the electric distribution utility delay its construction of another capacity like substations since the power demand are kept to an enough level. This energy saving tips will help many people lower their monthly electrical consumption.
Heating:
- Set your home thermostat to a temperature as low ascomfortable (65 - 68 degrees F is suggested) when thehouse is occupied
- Set back your thermostat by as much as 10 degrees Fat night or when the house is unoccupied during the day
- Set back the thermostat to 50 - 55 degrees F when thehouse is unoccupied for over 24 hours
- Install a programmable thermostat to automaticallyprovide the setbacks mentioned above
- Close the fireplace damper - except during fireplace use
- Reduce heat to unused rooms in the house by closingdoors and heat registers
- Replace furnace filters once a month during the heatingseason
- Keep objects away from and clean heating registersregularly
- Have certified maintenance personnel service andcheck your furnace regularly
- Minimize the use of kitchen, bath, and other ventilatingfans or install a timer switch on them
- Install insulating gaskets behind electrical outlets andswitch plates on exterior walls caulk and weather strip doors and windows caulk and seal leaks where plumbing, ducting orelectrical wiring penetrates through exterior walls, floors,and ceiling.
- Upgrade ceiling insulations to R-36 (higher R valuesmean greater insulation levels and thus more energy savings)
- Insulate exterior heated basement walls to at least R-11
- Insulate floors over unheated areas to R-19
- Install storm windows over single pane windows
- Replace aging furnace, when needed, with an energyefficient model
- Replace single pane windows with energy efficientdouble pane windows mounted in non-conducting windowframes
Cooling:
- Open windows at night to bring in cool night air; closethem during the day
- Close drapes during the day
- Shade west facing windows
- Draw cool night air into the house with a whole housefan
- Use room air conditioning only where needed andinstall energy efficient models
- Install a central system air conditioner only when wholehouse air condition is needed
- Maintain an air conditioned house at 78 degrees F orhigher using a programmable thermostat to set thetemperature higher during the day when no one is home
- Regularly change air conditioning system filters andclean the condenser
- Plant deciduous shade trees on the west and southsides of your house
Hot Water:
- Repair leaky faucets
- Reduce the temperature setting of your water heater towarm (120 degrees F)
- Install low-flow showerheads
- Add an insulating blanket to your water heater
- Wash clothes in warm or cold water using theappropriate water level setting for the load
- Replace water heater, when needed, with an energyefficient model
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