Energy Saving Tips for Your Home

In the Living Room

• Turn off lights when you leave the room.
• Use dimmer switches, timers and three-way lamps.
• Close the damper in your fireplace when it's not in use. 

In the Kitchen & Laundry

• Look for the ENERGY STAR label on home appliances and products, which verifies that these products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the EPA.
• Use a toaster oven instead of a large conventional oven, when possible.
• Boil water in a pot with a lid.
• Use pots and pans that fully cover the stove’s heating element.
• Keep your refrigerator set between 33-39 degrees, and your freezer as full as possible.
• Don’t place a refrigerator right next to an oven.
• Run the dishwasher only when full, and either use the energy-saving setting for drying or let dishes air dry.
• When doing laundry, use warm or cold water for washing and cold water for rinsing.
• Wash and dry full loads of clothes.
• Use an automatic clothes-drying cycle that senses when clothes are dry, instead of a timed cycle.
• Keep the dryer’s lint filter clean for greater efficiency.

In the Bedroom

• If you like to fall asleep to the television, set a sleep timer to turn it off.
• Make sure furniture and drapes aren’t blocking the air supply vents.
• Unplug your electric space heater when not in use.

In the Bathroom

• Seal air leaks where pipes come through the wall, under toilets and sinks.
• Install low-flow shower heads and faucets to reduce energy and hot water use.
• Repair leaky faucets.
• Turn off running water when shaving or brushing your teeth.

In the Attic or Utility Room

• Upgrade your attic insulation to a minimum R value (the measure of insulation's ability to resist heat) of R-38, typically 12-14 inches of insulation.
• Insulate around recessed lights, attic doors and other places where outdoor air could enter.
• Lower the water heater temperature to 120-125 degrees (or “medium” for gas models), and visually inspect the unit for leaks periodically.
• Insulate your water heater with a water heater blanket.
• Insulate water pipes coming from the water heater.

In the Home Office

• Set your computer to enter energy saving (sleep) mode to automatically lower power consumption if you’re away from the computer for a certain period of time.
• If you find you need to purchase new office equipment, look for the ENERGY STAR label on office products such as printers and scanners. Consider purchasing from a buy-back company that sells used and refurbished equipment, or recycle or trade in your old gear for new.
• Use an advanced power strip, since your home office setup likely incorporates multiple pieces of equipment. Advanced power strips help to ensure these devices aren't drawing power when they're not in use.
• A desk lamp is usually more efficient than overhead lighting.
• Turn off the lights and take advantage of natural light when possible.
• Unplug your cell phone or any other device once it’s fully charged.