Energy Conservation Advice

We Want You to Conserve Energy

Follow these warm weather and cold weather energy-saving tips and you'll find a decrease in your annual energy bills. You may also call us at any time to discuss your energy conservation concerns.

Cold Weather Conservation Tips

• Get a heating system tune-up annually.
  
  

• Keep ductwork in good repair with duct insulation.
  
  
• Remove air conditioning units from windows.
  
  
• Wrap your pipes to guard against heat loss and freezing.
  
  
• Make sure your ceiling has at least six inches of insulation.
  
  
• Correct air leaks around windows, doors and electrical outlets.
  
  
• Repair weather stripping and caulking.
  
  
• Replace any cracked glass in your windows.
  
  
• Have your fireplace chimney cleaned and inspected regularly.
  
  
• Check your door's threshold for any gaps. Use a bottom seal that can be attached to the door to stop drafts.
  
  
• Close your kitchen vent, fireplace damper and closet doors when not in use.
  
  

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Warm Weather Conservation Tips

• Keep the coils of your central or window air conditioner free of dust and dirt.
  
  
• Make sure the output of your air conditioner is right for the size of your room or house to ensure optimum efficiency and comfort.
  
  

• Change or clean your air conditioning filter monthly during the cooling season to improve efficiency and the life of your air conditioner. Look for an air conditioning unit that is ENERGY STAR^® approved.
  
  
• Install reflective window coatings to reflect heat away from your home.
  
  
• During the day, block the heat from the sun by closing windows, doors and curtains.
  
  
• During the hot summer afternoons, avoid using appliances.
  
  
• Cook on the grill to keep cooking heat outside the home.
  
  
• Open windows on cool summer days and nights. A good rule of thumb is not to open windows when the outside temperature is warmer than the inside of your house.
  
  
• Use ceiling fans to cool your home. They're much cheaper to operate than air conditioners, and moving air feels cooler, so you can keep your thermostat setting higher.
  
  

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All Year Long Conservation Tips

• Install a programmable thermostat. When used properly, it can shave $100 off your annual energy bills.
  
  
• Choose a high-efficiency water heater. An indirect oil-fired water heater produces an almost endless supply of hot water with a very fast recovery time.
  
  

• Use compact fluorescent lights. They last up to 10-13 times longer than standard bulbs and use 75% less energy.
  
  
• Keep your oven door closed! Every time you open the oven door, the oven temperature can drop 25 degrees. Use the oven light or a timer to avoid wasting energy.
  
  
• Choose a high-efficiency dishwasher — they use 25% less energy than conventional models.
  
  
• Wash clothes in the coolest water possible — 80% of the cost to run your washer is used for heating the water.
  
  
• Install dimmers and motion sensors wherever possible.
  
  
• Take showers instead of baths. A five-minute shower will use about 7.5 gallons of hot water; filling a bathtub can use up to 20 gallons.
  
  
• Clean refrigerator coils once a year to extend the life of your fridge.
  
  
• Since your dryer retains heat, dry loads back-to-back.
  
  

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