Conserve Energy Every Hour.
Natural gas prices have increased 600% in the last decade. With energy prices skyrocketing, conservation is necessary just to stay even. Conservation starts with an awareness of how we waste energy every day. Here are a few examples of easy things you can do to save money.
Kitchen/Bathroom
- After oven use, keep the oven door open to heat the kitchen in the winter.
- Kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans should be used sparingly. The exhaust fans are great for removing humidity and odors. However, not only do the fans use energy, but they also suck your conditioned air right out of the room.
- After taking a bath in the winter, open the bathroom door and let the bath water stand in the tub until it cools to room temp. Drain immediately when it’s warm outside.
- Dishwashers – Wash only full loads; don’t use the “rinse-hold” cycle; let the dishes air-dry.
- Dryer vent heat exchanger/Diverter – allows you to use the dryer’s air to warm a room. Make sure this is closed in warmer climates.
Fireplace
- Turn house temperature down while fire is burning; thus eliminating energy loss from heat generated by your heating unit.
- Keep fireplace damper closed when not in use.
- Seal any cracks or other openings especially in exterior coverings. Seal interior fireplace face near the masonry and damper.
Windows/Doors
- Keep windows locked for tight fit. Keep doors and windows closed during periods when you are running the heat or air.
- Cover windows. with heavy material or cornice. Consider upgrading windows.
- Check tightness of doors, door jambs and windows – seal as necessary. Tighten, repair, and replace storm windows when necessary to reduce drafts.
- Check gaskets around the refrigerators and freezers for a tight fit. Try the “Dollar Test”. Insert dollar in door. If there is no resistance when pulled on, adjustment and new gaskets are necessary.
- Close off unused rooms, walk in closets and stairways.
- Install draft sealers around electrical boxes to save up to 20% of home heat loss.
- Seal cracks and insulate cellar walls.
- Insulate ceiling with 12”, R-38 and greater when possible. Walls typically should have a minimum 3.5” of R-11.
- Insulate attic openings and flue dampers.
- Set water heater at 120˚F; 140˚F with a dishwasher that doesn’t have a temperature booster.
- Wrap/insulate hot water pipes.
Other
- Turn lights off when exiting any area of your home.
- Seal tightly any penetrations leading to the outside. Caulks, foam products and other materials may be used as long as they are weather resistant.
- Install set-back thermostats, or manually set your thermostat to conserve when an area is not in use.
For more energy saving tips, pick up a volume of Green This! from the Current Energy Store.
