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Indoor Energy Conservation Products & Tips

  • Energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent light bulbs
  • Window cling film
  • Insulation
  • Caulk
  • Child-safe plugs
  • Outlet foam (place under outlet covers)
  • Insulated curtains

Refrigerators: Defrost your refrigerator before it ices up, Avoid opening and closing the door continuously. Keep grills and coils clean. Keep temperature between 37-40 degrees and freezer 0-10 degrees.

Dishwashers: Run dishwasher only when full, using the shortest possible cycle that gets dishes clean. Open door and let dishes air dry.

Small appliances: Use hand can openers, mixers, etc. when possible. Keep vacuum bag emptied to avoid suction reduction.

Light bulbs: Dirt absorbs light – keep lights clean. Turn off lights when not in use.

Bathroom: Take short showers, baths use more hot water, hence more energy. Don’t run water while brushing teeth or shaving. Don’t use more soap than you really need, as it requires excess rinsing.

Home Cooling: Buy the smallest size air conditioner that will do the job. Place window units on shady side of house, or provide shade from sun. Keep grills and filters clean. Close wall and floor registers.

Home Heating: Have at least 6” insulation in attic floor. Weatherstrip windows and doors. Caulk around exterior doors, windows, ceiling fixtures upstairs. Close fireplace damper when not in use. Insulated unheated basement ceilings. Close drapes at night, open in daytime. Practice “turning down the heat” a little more each week – instead bundle up with extra clothing.

Kitchen: Use small appliances for small meals. Cook one-dish meals as often as you can. Cook more than one meal at a time, for reheating later. Do not preheat oven except for very short baking jobs. Use oven more in cold weather.

Laundry: Wash and dry only full loads. Use cold water. Keep lint screens clean. Dry in consecutive loads while dryer is warm. Remove clothes immediately to reduce wrinkling and ironing.

Close off rooms when not in use
Faulty appliances waste energy – repair or replace
Turn off appliances when not in use
Avoid when possible the use of appliances between 5-8pm in Winter and 1-6pm in Summer (contributes to overall efficiency of our entire electrical energy system)

Outdoor Energy Conservation Products & Tips

  • Plants and shrubs
  • Hand garden, lawn, and workshop tools
  • Rain water container
  • Alternative fuel cars

Yard and Garden: Plant shade trees on South and West sides of house, to cool in summer and protect in winter. Plant shrubs around foundation. Make a compost pile for fertilizing (artificial fertilizers use petroleum products). Grow your own fruits and vegetables. Don’t water if rain is forecasted in the near future. Don’t idle gas mower for long periods. Use hand clippers and pruners. Keep pool filters and strainers clean.

Home: Consider installing a wood stove. Dress in wool blends as they are warmer than polyester knits or leather. Get a humidifier – it uses electricity but makes you more comfortable at lower temperatures and saves fuel.

At The Store: Buy clothing that doesn’t require ironing. Buy recycled products when possible. Get unwrapped produce. Avoid disposable products.

On the Road: Save errands for one trip. Combine trips with friends. Schedule trips to avoid rush hour traffic. Patronize one-stop shopping centers. Bicycle, walk, or use public transportation to and from the store. Join a carpool to get to work. Don’t carry excessive weight in the car as it wastes gas. Don’t put baggage on top of car – it creates wind drag, thus uses more gas.

Vacationing: Rediscover the pleasure of walking, bicycling, horseback riding, etc. Vacation closer to home.  Try day-cations. Be an energy-efficient traveler - turn off lights in hotel room, don’t use more heat, light, hot water, or air conditioning than you really need. Make reservations ahead of time so you don’t spend time driving around to several hotels looking for one that has a room available.

Workshop: Use hand tools when possible. Buy tools with the least horsepower adequate for the job. Keeps tools in top operating shape (well sharpened and lubricated)