Energy Saving Tips

Here are some more resources to help you find ways to reduce your energy use.

Heating and Cooling:

• Weatherstrip and caulk your windows and doors
  
• Seal and insulate your home
  
• Consider installing a Geothermal Heat Pump to heat and cool your home, save up to 70% on your heating and cooling costs.
• Clean your furnace's filter monthly
  
• Consider buying an ENERGY STAR furnace or air conditioner, insulating and sealing ducts and relocating heating and air conditioning vents.
  
• Cover your hot water heater with an insulation blanket
  
• Consider installing energy efficient windows or storm windows
  
  

Saving Water:

• Reduce the temperature of your hot water heater to 120F or less (or until using little to no cold water in the bath/shower)
  
• Install a low flow shower head (there are some nice ones out now-a-days)
  
• Solar hot water heaters can reduce your hot water heating bill
  
• Wash clothes in cold water 
  
• Run full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher
  
• If available, use the energy savings settings on your dishwasher and washing machine
  
• Consider air drying your clothes. saves energy, money and keeps your clothes lasting longer.
  
• Take a shorter shower 
  
  

Computing Equipment:

• Learn how to set power management on your computer
  
• Download the Google Desktop Power Management Gadget
  
• Buy a Climate Savers certified energy efficient computer
• Plug your computer peripherals (printer, scanner, speakers, fax machine) into a powerstrip and power down when not in use.
  
  

Electronics and Home Appliances:

• Turn down the brightness on your TV and computer monitor
  
• Look for and purchase ENERGY STAR appliances and electronics
  
• Consider replacing that old, second refrigerator in the basement - This calculator determines how much energy your refrigerator is using
  
• Plug home electronics into a powerstrip and turn off when not in use. Or unplug appliances that you rarely use - when was the last time you used that VCR?
  
• Don't keep your refrigerator and freezer too cold. Set temperature between 36-38 degrees F and freezers at 0-5 degrees.
  
  

Other Energy-saving Tips:

• Grist: 7 ways to cut your energy use
  
• Alliance to Save Energy: No-Cost Low-Cost Tips for Saving Money & Energy
  
• Department of Energy: Additional No-Cost / Low Cost Tips to Save Energy
  
• Carbon footprint calculator
  
• ACEEE: Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings
• Home Energy Savers: Calculate your home's energy footprint
  
• Get a home energy audit 
  
  

Government Programs:

• Department of Energy Weatherization Assistance Program
  
• Map of government and utility programs that provide incentives for energy efficiency investments