Tips for electronic devices
- Plug home electronics such as TVs and Blu-ray players into power strips
- Unplug electronics and turn off power strips when they are not in use (e.g., TVs, computers, printers, gaming consoles, phone chargers, curling irons, etc.)
- Use a laptop instead of a desktop PC
- User a printer with power management capabilities (i.e., printers with automatic "power down" features)
Tips for lighting
- Use smaller lamps to light work areas instead of overhead/ceiling lighting
- Replace your incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs
- Look for ENERGY STAR label on light bulbs, home appliances, electronics, and other products
Tips for cooling and heating your home
- Turn back the thermostat 10-15 degrees when you're not at home
- Never turn a thermostat high or low to quickly heat or cool a home
- Make sure furniture, curtains, and rugs don't block the flow of air from vents and air registers
- Hold a ribbon or feather up to windows and doors to check for drafts
- If there are drafts, use weather stripping or caulking to keep the outside air out and the air conditioning/heat in
- If possible, shade your air conditioning unit
- Use fans to cool your home instead of air conditioners
- Soak a thin t-shirt and attach it to the fan to blow the air through and cool the room
- If you have an attic or bathroom fan, turning the fan on during the cooler evening times can help remove hot, humid air from your home.
- Close your blinds or curtains during the hottest parts of the day to block the hot sunlight from warming your home. If your home has shutters, those can also be used to block the sunlight and insulate your home.
- Make sure furnace filters are changed twice a year
- Once a year, drain one gallon of water from the faucet at the bottom of your water heater to get rid of the sediment in the water and increase the efficiency of your water heater
Summer Tips
- Run your ceiling fan counterclockwise to force the colder air down and draw the hot air up
- Keep the curtains and shades closed
- Set your thermostat at 78°F and leave it there
- Avoid using appliances that give off heat during the hottest times of the day as they will make your cooling system work harder; do your cooking, washing, and clothes drying in the early morning or late evening
Winter Tips
- Open the curtains and shades to warm your home naturally
- Run your ceiling fan clockwise to pull cold air up and force warm air down
- Set your thermostat at 68°F and leave it there
Tips for laundry
- Wait until you have a full load to use your clothes dryer
- Clean the lint filter thoroughly after each dryer load
- Separate drying loads into heavy and lightweight items; lightweight items take less time to dry, so the dry doesn't have to be on for as long
Electricity Usage Calculator:
Please see the attached files to check what your estimated daily usage is. This information can help you track your daily usage better, and locate areas where you could conserve your electricity in the future.
Please note that the amounts given in this calculator are averages and usage generated by appliances can differ. These averages can still provide a good estimate of your daily usage.
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