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Home / Education Materials / Easy Steps to Conserve


EASY STEPS TO CONSERVE ELECTRICITY AND MONEY

"Benjamin Franklin may have discovered electricity, but it was the man who invented the meter who made the money." -Earl Wilson

Today, as the world goes green and families search for tangible ways to reduce spending and save money, environmental and economic goals are now uniquely aligned: Conserving energy saves both the environment and money.

Did you know?

According the US Department of Energy, a typical home's energy usage looks like this:

  • Space Heating 31%
  • Space cooling 21%
  • Water heating 12%
  • Lighting 11%
  • Computers & electronics 9%
  • Appliances 9%
  • Refrigeration 8%
  • Other 8%

While it may seem cliché, the meter is running! What does yours say about your use of electricity?

An energy audit can help identify - and improve - energy inefficiencies in your home or business. You can hire an independent energy auditor or ask your utility company to do one for free, but conducting an energy audit is a fairly simple thing to do on your own. And it's the first step in saving energy and money.

SAFETY-FIRST: Many of the energy-saving improvements and repairs provided here can be accomplished by an enthusiastic "Do-It-Yourselfer." However, electricity can kill you if you handle it improperly! If you need assistance with an electrical repair or problem, call Focus Electric at 704-0605.

#1 - HVAC: CHECK, ADJUST, UPGRADE AND CONSERVE

Heating and Air Conditioning account for 52% of the average home's total utility costs! It is a significant monthly investment that deserves careful attention.

  • Evaluate insulation and identify holes to save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on total annual energy bills).
    • Ensure insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces are adequate. Increasing the level of insulation can save $95 to $145 per year. Click here for governmental guidelines on insulation.
    • Check walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, light switches and electrical outlets for small openings that allow air to leak into/out of your home. Seal cracks with caulk and weather strip around windows and doors.
  • Test HVAC ducts for leaks - The average home loses 27% of its heating or cooling from leaky ducts.
  • Adjust the thermostat:
    • In the winter:
      • Set at 68° or lower during
      • Stay cozy by wearing slightly warmer clothing indoors and using extra or electric blanket at night.
    • During summer months:
      • Set to 85° when you leave and 76° - 78° when you return. Remember, you can save up to 10% in air conditioning costs for every degree the thermostat is raised, up to a maximum of 40 percent.
      • Use drapes or blinds to keep sunlight out. Direct sunlight can raise the temperature of a room by 10-20°.
      • Open windows and shades in the evening when it's cooler and use blinds, shades and awnings to keep the heat out during the day.
  • Install ceiling fans or use portable fans - These can make you feel up to eight degrees cooler in the summer and circulate warm air in the winter. Central air systems are seventy times more expensive to operate than a fan. Raising or lowering thermostats and compensating with a fan can provide the same comfort level.
    • In hot months, set fans on a higher speed to cool by creating a nice breeze
    • During cold months, use the fan on slow to circulate the warm air that rises to the ceiling.
  • Use programmable timers - Automate when systems turn OFF (when you leave) and ON (30 minutes before you return) to make saving money worry-free.
  • Close vents/registers - Unused rooms don't need the same level of heating and cooling as occupied spaces - so close them off.
    • Note: Closing too many vents can cause pressure and leaks in the duct system. Check with an air conditioning professional to determine the maximum number of vents that can be closed.
  • Use portable space heaters or cooling appliances - Reduce usage of expensive central air and heat by maintaining comfortable temperatures with a portable appliance.
  • Check system capacity - Ensure your HVAC system (or wall unit) is appropriate for your space. A system that's too small OR too large will not operate efficiently.
  • Clean or replace filters monthly - Dirty filters makes the HVAC system work harder and use more electricity. Home improvement stores sell easy-to-install, disposable and permanent filters (can be rinsed off rather than being replaced).
  • Care for the Condenser
    • Install shading devices over your condenser or window unit. Condensers in the shade use up to 10% less electricity than those in direct sunlight.
    • Tall grass and debris around your condenser can restrict air flow and use more electricity. Keep your condenser free of obstructions.
    • Wash outer fin coils with a garden hose. However, the inner coils should be serviced by a certified air conditioning technician.
  • Time to replace? If your HVAC system is 15 years old or older, consider investing in an energy-efficient model. Modern units use 30 - 50% less electricity than older models.

Need help with your HVAC system? Ask for one of the trained and certified air conditioning technicians from Conditioned Air Solutions by calling 428-1983.

#2 - WATER HEATER: CHECK, ADJUST, UPGRADE AND CONSERVE

Next to the HVAC system, the water heater uses the most energy in a household (14 to 20 percent).

  • Reduce energy loss - Save 10 - 15% by using a heater blanket on the body of the heater and insulating any exposed long-run, hot-water pipes. And turn the water heater thermostat down when you are away for more than two days.
  • Check capacity - Ensure your water heater size is matched with your usage needs and set the temperature at 120° - 140°.
  • Take shorter showers - Use a waterproof hourglass or digital shower timer to monitor shower time.
  • Time to replace? The average life of a hot water heater is 13 years. Today, there are many replacement options for high-efficiency water heaters, including:
    • Electric
    • Gas
    • Tankless
    • Solar powered

#3 - LIGHTING: CHECK, ADJUST, UPGRADE AND CONSERVE

Observe your usage of lighting systems. Pay special attention to high-use areas like the living room, kitchen and even outdoor lighting and make adjustments as needed.

  • Install timers, sensors or dimmers - to control energy use, including motion-triggered indoor and outdoor lights that switch ON and OFF in response to movement.
  • Replace incandescent light bulbs - Fluorescent bulbs use 75% less energy and create 70 - 90% less heat.
  • Turn off lights that are not being used.
  • Use only the amount of lighting needed:
    • Minimize the need to illuminate an entire room by lighting only the needed area.
    • Consider three-way lamps and dimming switches as a way to use only the amount of light needed.
  • Install solar powered outdoor lighting - Almost free to operate, these usually require no wiring and automatically switch ON and OFF.

#4 - COMPUTERS, ELECTRONICS, REFRIGERATION AND APPLIANCES: CHECK, ADJUST, UPGRADE AND CONSERVE

  • Computers and Electronics
    • Turn off TVs and computers when not in use.
  • Refrigerators
    • Adjust the temperature - Set the refrigerator temperature between 36° and 38° degrees and the freezer at 0 to 5° degrees. Lower temperatures can increase energy use by as much as 25%.
    • Check the door seal - Ensure the door seal/gasket is in good condition and air-tight. Even small gaps can impact performance.
    • Clean the coils - Older refrigerators will perform better if the back coils are regularly vacuumed or dusted.
  • Stoves, Ovens and Microwave Ovens
    • Choose the microwave - Especially in the summer, avoid using the oven or stove top, which also heats the house. Instead use the microwave, which is also cheaper to operate.
    • Unplug small appliances when not in use
    • Clean the inspection glass on the oven - Ensure your oven light is working and the inspection glass is clean. Open the door to check on food and lose significant heat and energy.
  • Dishwashers
    • Wait for full loads - Only run the dishwasher when it is full. Select the economy cycle for everyday washing.
    • Allow dishes to air dry - More energy is required to dry dishes than is needed to wash them.
  • Washer and Dryer
    • Wash and dry full loads only
    • Spin clothes thoroughly before drying - the less water, the faster the clothes dry.
    • Do not over-dry clothes - Use the minimum amount of time necessary to dry them or hang damp clothing to air dry. And for even more efficiency, dry lighter and heavier items separately.
    • Clean the lint filter in after each load - A clogged lint filter can increase drying time and energy usage by 30%. Dryer lint is also the major cause of some 15,000 dryer fires each year.
    • Wash clothes in cold water - And, for added savings, do laundry in the evening when energy costs are lower. During summer months especially, run the dryer in the evening to avoid heating the house.
    • Don't overload the dryer - To effectively dry clothing, air must be able to circulate around the clothes.

#5 - OTHER: CHECK, ADJUST, UPGRADE AND CONSERVE

  • Paint the exterior of your home or business a light color - Darker colors can increase cooling bills in the summer months by 20 percent.
  • Plant shade trees - Shading your home or business can reduce indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees and energy use by up to 40%.
  • Close the fireplace damper - A chimney is designed specifically for smoke to escape. When open, warm air escapes 24 hours a day.
  • Block solar energy - According to the California Energy Commission, 30% of a structure's cooling requirements are due to solar energy entering through glass.
    • Solar screens can block 60 - 70% of the heat from sunlight
    • Reflective film reflects the sun's heat from your windows, and can block 40 - 60% of heat
    • Storm windows and doors can reduce the amount of cooling or heating lost through single pane glass by 50%

#6 - TIME TO REPLACE?

There are great financial incentives for making improvements in 2009 and 2010. Homeowners who invest in energy-saving windows and doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC systems, water heaters, and alternative-fuel stoves, heat pumps, solar-powered water heaters and panels could be eligible for a tax credit of 30% of the amount invested. For details visit www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index.

#7 - EDUCATE YOURSELF

Reputable websites that can assist you in conserving electricity and saving money include:

#8 - FIND A DEPENDABLE ELECTRICAL AND AIR CONDITIONER REPAIR SERVICE BEFORE YOU NEED ONE

Read our guide on everything you need to know about hiring a contractor:

http://www.focuselectricalservice.com/education_materials/homeowners_guide.php