Lower my Bill

Keeping cold air outside and warm air inside is key to saving energy during the cooler months. Also, using the free heat from the sun is a simple way to save energy while you heat up your home.

Thermostat

• Set the thermostat to 68 degrees, and lower it to 55 degrees at night and when no one’s home.
• Program your thermostat so you don't have to remember to change the setting. For every two degrees you lower your thermostat during the winter, you can save up to 10% on heating costs.
• If you have a heat pump, set the lower temperature to 63 degrees. Heat pumps are designed to maintain temperatures within a narrower range.

Heating system

• Keep heating units well maintained and clean to prevent wasting energy.
• Replace HVAC and heat pump filters monthly, or as needed.
• Keep vents open and air flowing. Closing doors and room vents puts extra strain on the central heating system.

Water heater

• We use more hot water in the colder months, and water heating accounts for about 18% of your home’s energy use. It is also, typically, the second largest energy expense in any home. 
• You can reduce your water heating bill by washing laundry in cold water, insulating your water heater pipes, and in some cases, lowering the temperature to 120 degrees.
• Taking shorter showers and switching to a low flow shower head can also help save on water heating costs. 

Windows/doors

• Seal air leaks around doors and windows with caulking and/or weather-stripping.
• Cover drafty windows with insulating drapes or shades.
• Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to warm your home, and close them at night to prevent cool air from seeping in. 

Ceiling fans

• Adjust your ceiling fans to spin clockwise. This will help push down any hot air that has risen to the ceiling, which will help prevent wasting heat.

Holiday lights

• Use LED holiday light strings to reduce the cost of decorating your home for the winter holidays. LEDs, are at least 75% more efficient and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent lights.

The easiest way to keep your home cool is to prevent it from heating up in the first place. Good insulation, caulking and weather stripping help. Shade trees, overhangs and awnings help, too.

Air conditioning (cooling)

• Set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. You can save up to 5-10 percent on cooling costs for every 2 degrees you raise the temperature.
• Change HVAC air filter regularly. Air conditioning units with dirty filters can use 5-10% more energy.
• Clean the condenser coils: Make sure AC system is off at the thermostat. Then, clean the coils with a garden hose by gently washing in a downward angle (only if on ground).
• Clean the evaporator coils: Turn off your AC system - Open the evaporator coil panel - Spray coils with mix of warm water and gentle cleaner - let it sit for about 5 minutes - gently wipe away dirt and debris with a soft cloth.
• Use fans instead of central air whenever possible. A fan costs about 90% less to operate. Adjust ceiling fans to turn counterclockwise in the summer to help create a downdraft and direct, cooling breeze.

Appliances

• Avoid using oven, stove, dishwasher, dryer, washing machine and other heat-producing appliances during peak hours. Instead, try timing their use early in the morning or later in the evening, when temperatures are cooler.
• Wash laundry in cold water - 90% of the energy used to wash a load goes toward heating the water, using cold water can save a lot of energy.
• Cover food you put in the refrigerator. The compressor works harder to cool moist air, and covered foods limit moisture evaporation.
• Clean the coils on the back of your refrigerator (at least annually). This helps the compressor cool faster and run less frequently, reducing energy use and extending the life of the unit.

Turn off/unplug

• Turn off bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans about 10 minutes after their job is done to help save energy and prevent cool air from being vented out.
• Unplug small appliances and electrical devices when not in use. You can save up to 10% of your monthly energy use by doing this. Some examples include phone chargers, gaming consoles, and laptops.

Use LED bulbs

• LED's emit less heat and use less energy.
• They use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Windows/doors

• Seal any gaps and cracks around doorframes and windows to prevent warm air from entering home.
• Keep your windows and doors closed to keep cool air in and hot air out. You can also use shades, drapes, and awnings to block the sun.
• Open your windows/doors in the early morning and evenings to allow cool air to flow into your home.

Smart, simple switch

• Plug electronics into a power strip to turn off multiple devices with a flip of a switch.
• Consider switching to smart power strips. They can cut power off and save energy because they detect when a device is in standby mode.