Energy Education - Energy Saving Tips
An additional benefit to the Energy Assistance Program is Energy Education.
Energy Education is a one-hour energy education session provided to Energy Assistance Program (EAP) recipients. An energy conservation action kit is provided to all EAP eligible attendees. The kit contains energy savings low cost/no cost items that can be installed or used around the house to help reduce heating costs. Items such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, low-flow shower heads, and other energy savings items.
Energy-Saving Tips
Regardless of whether you qualify for our Energy Assistance or Weatherization programs, here are some simple things you can do to lower your energy costs at home.
Cooling
- A new, high efficiency, 13 SEER air conditioner uses about half the energy of a 15-year-old air conditioner. If your air conditioner is 10 to 15 years old or older or needs substantial repairs, consider replacing it with a new, high efficiency system.
- During peak cooling hours, solar heat coming through un-shaded windows can account for one-third of the load on your air conditioner. Close the drapes on the sunny side of your home while you are there, or close all window coverings if you are leaving for the day.
- Install the proper amount of insulation in exterior walls, roofs and ceilings. If you currently have no insulation in one of these areas, installing insulation will cut your energy bills dramatically.
- Clean or replace your air conditioning filter monthly, or as needed.
- Humidity is a significant load on an air conditioner. While it's tempting to give your air conditioner a rest on cool nights, watch the weather forecast before you decide to open the windows at night. If tomorrow is going to be hot again, keep the air conditioning on and the home closed through the night to keep the humidity out of the house.
- Turn off unnecessary lights and use energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs that give off less heat. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.
- Turn air conditioners to the highest comfortable setting. We recommend 76 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you`re home and 80 degrees while you are away. Adjusting your thermostat up a few degrees will have a significant impact on your cooling bill.
Heating
- Change your furnace filter every two months. The furnace will heat better, and less hot air will go up the chimney.
- Check heat registers to make sure they are not blocked by furniture or carpeting.
- Try to set the thermostat back while you are at work or asleep. The ideal winter inside temperature is 68° Fahrenheit or less, unless you have medical problems.
- Make sure the windows are firmly closed and window locks are tight. Reduce drafts around windows using caulking.
- Use heavy-duty clear plastic sheets that are taped tightly to the inside of your windows to reduce heat escape through windows.
- Keep draperies and shades closed to create a barrier, keeping cold air out.
Hot water
- Water heaters use lots of energy. Install a water heater blanket, available at home improvement stores, but be sure to follow the directions. Don't insulate the top of a gas water heater, because of the potential for fire. You can insulate the pipes on top of the water heater, but again, follow directions.
- Turn the temperature on the water heater down to 120° Fahrenheit. That will be more energy efficient and the risk of children scalding themselves will be less. To measure your water temperature, run the hot water for three to five minutes and measure the temperature with a cooking thermometer.
- Buy a low-flow showerhead. Older showerheads use six gallons of water a minute. Low-flow showerheads use 2½ gallons of water a minute. To measure this, put a bucket under your showerhead and turn on the water for exactly one minute. Measure how much water is in the bucket. Changing to a low-flow showerhead can save 30,000 gallons of hot water a year for a family of four that each takes a daily shower. Take short, 5-minute showers.
- Wash your clothes in cold water.
General Hints
- Use compact fluorescent light bulbs in fixtures that are going to be on eight or more hours a day. Turn off lights you are not using.
- Have at least one working smoke detector and test it monthly. (No, this doesn't save energy, but it saves lives.)
- Take showers instead of baths, a 5-minute shower uses less than 10 gallons of water, a bath takes anywhere from 15 – 25 gallons.
- Be sure your walls have insulation and your attic has 10 inches of insulation. Paying to have wall insulation installed can pay for itself in energy savings in three years
Appliances
- Buy appliances with an Energy Star rating because they are cheaper to operate. The rating means the federal Department of Energy gives the appliance a high rating for efficiency.
- Purchase and install a programmable thermostat. You can save as much as 10% per year on your utility bill simply by turning your thermostat back 10 – 15% for 8 hours. The programmable thermostat allows you to automatically turn down the temperature while you are gone or asleep and will bring the temperature back to a comfortable level by the time you return or get up.
- Periodically check freezer and fridge doors and make sure they seal tightly. Also make sure they are clean, dirty seals prevent the door from shutting tightly.
- Adjust refrigerator and freezer controls to avoid unnecessary colder settings that waste energy 37- 40 F for the refrigerator, 0 – 5 F for the freezer).
- Do not use the oven for heating the kitchen on a chilly day.
