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  • Turn off home office and entertainment equipment when not in use. 
  • When purchasing appliances or home office equipment, select energy efficient models with the ENERGY STAR® label.
  • Unplug instant-on appliances (TV and cable box) when you go on vacation.
  • Insulate doors and windows with weather-stripping or caulking to prevent heating or cooling loss.

Laundry

  • Wash full loads only, but do not overload.
  • Wash and rinse in cold water instead of hot water.
  • Clothes dryers are at the top of the energy consumption list of household appliances.  Dry consecutive loads to utilize the already warm dryer.
  • Don’t dry heavy items like towels with light items.
  • Clean the lint filter after each load to maximize drying efficiency.

Kitchen

  • Use dishwasher for full loads whenever possible.
  • Soak or prewash only if food is burned or dried-on.
  • Reduce dishwasher energy usage by manually air drying dishes or use auto-air dry feature.
  • Ensure oven door seals are in good condition.
  • Do not preheat the oven unless necessary.
  • Thaw frozen foods before cooking to save energy.

Lighting

  • Change the 5 fixtures used most to ENERGY STAR® qualified lighting, such as Compact Flourescent Light bulbs (CFL’s).
  • Compact fluorescent lighting uses up to two thirds less energy and lasts 6 to 10 times longer than traditional lighting.
  • Use task lighting instead of brightly lighting an entire room.
  • Replace high wattage, halogen torchiere lamps with fluorescent equivalents.
  • Take advantage of natural daylight when possible and decorate with lighter colors to reflect light.

Electric Heating

  • Set thermostat at 68ºF or lower when heating your home, depending on your comfort level.
  • If windows face the south, open drapes during the day to utilize heat from the sun.
  • Close drapes if you have large windows which don’t receive direct sun and also at night to retain heat.
  • Inspect ducts and replace filters annually.
  • Consider installing a programmable setback thermostat to control heating hours.

Refrigerator

  • If buying a new refrigerator, consider the cost of operation and look for the ENERGY STAR® label.
  • Keep your refrigerator and freezer filled for economical operation.
  • Check and adjust refrigerator settings to 37ºF-40ºF using a refrigerator thermometer.
  • Inspect door seals and replace if necessary.
  • Limit opening/closing of refrigerator door to a minimum.
  • Clean condenser coils at least once per year.

Water Heating

  • Low-flow shower heads and faucets can reduce the amount of hot water used per day by half.
  • Use a timer to reduce the time spent in the shower.
  • Turn down your hot water heater thermostat to 120ºF.
  • Insulate your water heater.
  • Washing dishes in a basin or sink uses much less hot water than washing under running water.

Central Air Conditioning

  • Install 7-day programmable thermostats to control air conditioning usage.
  • Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible when cooling your home.
  • Have an annual tune-up to check refrigerant, thermostat and filters.
  • Use awnings, shutters or window film to reduce solar heat gain into building.
  • Use fans instead of A/C whenever possible.
  • An outdoor unit operating in the shade can use 10% less electricity than if it is in the sun.

Room Air Conditioning

  • Clean grills, filters and drains once a month.
  • Do not place lamps or TV sets which emit heat near your air-conditioning thermostat.
  • Keep windows and drapes closed while using cooling.
  • Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows to prevent air leaks.
  • Use an interior fan to spread the cooled air more efficiently.

Weatherization Works!