Energy Saving Tips and Tricks

1. Buy energy efficient light bulbs. There are just as bright, last much longer, and use far less electricity.
2. Turn off lights when they are not needed and when you leave a room.
3. Plant trees to save energy heating and cooling your home. Position the trees on the southern and western sides of the home.
4. Turn off the television when you are not in the room.
5. Use the microwave or toaster oven when you can instead of heating your conventional oven.
6. Buy appliances with high EER’s.
7. Don’t use the heater on the dishwasher. It will take longer for the dishes to dry but you will use far less energy to do so.
8. Only run the dishwasher when there is a full load.
9. Unplug devices when not in use. Even though a device is “off”, as long as it is plugged in it will continue to use energy.
10. Don’t use the dryer when drying just a few articles of clothing.
11. Wrap the hot water heater with an insulation blanket.
12. Go easy on the use of hot water.
13. Dry two loads of laundry at once.
14. Turn the temperature down a few degrees on your hot water heater.
15. When cooking items on your stove or in your oven, turn the burners off a few minutes before your items are done. The heat already contained in the burner elements and the items being cooked will be enough to complete your cooking.
16. Put on extra clothing or a jacket and turn the heat down.
17. Install ceiling fans and use portable fans and turn the air conditioner up.
18. When not using the fireplace keep the damper closed.
19. Install programmable thermostats to cut energy use while no one is home and yet have the temperature at a comfortable level when you get home!

For more great energy savings tips and information, check out the links below. They are filled with loads of ideas on how you can save energy at home or in your business, protect the environment, energy calculators, purchase energy efficient appliances, design energy efficiency into your new home or business, and much, much more!

Home Energy Suite
A suite of calculators and tools, provided by your local utility, to help you make your home or business more energy efficient.

Energy Savers
Created by the Department of Energy, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency, this site provides information on saving energy in the home, business, and industry. Offers many practical energy-saving tips, energy calculators and software, information on financing home energy efficiency improvements and much more!

ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping consumers save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. There is information on buying energy efficient appliances and homes, green buildings and efficient commercial building design.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) invests in clean energy technologies that strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Kids Saving Energy
Providesclassroom lesson plans, games and activities for kids. Created by the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.