Energy Saving Tips-Winter

Cold Weather Energy Efficiency Tips

Energy-efficient improvements not only make your home more comfortable, they can provide long-term financial rewards. Begin saving energy and money this winter by using the following tips.

No-Cost Energy Saving Actions

• Turn down your thermostat. For every degree you turn down the heat, you will save up to 3 percent on your heating bill.
• Eliminate wasted energy. Plug home electronics into power strips. Turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (standby mode still uses electricity). Turn off lighting when not in use.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
• Wash full loads of laundry. Switch the temperature setting from hot to warm or cold. (About 80%-85% of the energy used for washing clothes is to heat the water.)
• Clean the dryer's lint filter after every load to improve air circulation. Don't over-dry clothes. Use the cool-down cycle to allow clothes to finish drying with residual heat.
• Let the sun shine in. Keep draperies and shades open during the day to allow sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
• Ventilate wisely. Turn kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans off as soon as they have done their job.
• Close an unoccupied room that is isolated from the rest of the house, such as in a corner, and turn down the thermostat or turn off the heating for that room or zone. However, do not turn the heating off if it adversely affects the rest of your system.

Low-Cost Energy Saving Solutions

• Prevent heat loss by sealing air leaks around window and door frames with caulking and weather-stripping.
• Install a water heater blanket. Follow manufacturer's directions for safety.
• Increase your lighting efficiency. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. They are more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last 6 to 10 times longer.
• Regulate your thermostat. Use an ENERGY STAR® qualified model programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature of your home when you are home or away.

Energy Saving Investments

• Insulation and air leaks. Fully insulate your attic, walls, pipes and air ducts.
• Make energy efficient purchases. Replace old products and appliances with new energy-efficient models that have the ENERGY STAR® label. Every appliance has two price tags -- the purchase price and the operating cost. Consider both when buying a new appliance.
• Upgrade windows. Retain heat by replacing single-pane windows with new double-pane windows with high-performance glass.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy-Energy Savers

Resources

Click here to view more seasonal tips, from protecting water pipes to holiday decorating.

Fight the Frost with ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR Tips to Keep Your Home Warm

Visit the Energy Star® Heat & Cool Smartly website.

Visit the Energy Savers website for tips on saving energy and money.