Home Energy Conservation Tips

Save resources and money - and, if you do it right, you don’t have to be uncomfortable.

Seal Up Your Home

Insulate! We recommend R-38 (about 12 inches) in ceilings and R-19 (about 6 inches) in floors over unheated spaces Check:
- The attic
- Floors above unheated areas
- Foundation walls
- Outside walls
- Walls next to unheated areas
Insulate ducts where they run through cold areas
Install storm windows and doors or use plastic sheeting
Weather-strip and caulk! Check for drafts around windows, door frames, foundation cracks, electrical outlets, etc.
Don’t block radiators and vents (including cold air returns) with furniture, drapes or rugs.
Insulated attics need proper ventilation so they can breathe.

Maintain your heating and cooling system by replacing air filters often and doing regular maintenance.
Buy energy efficient appliances and use them efficiently.
Clean dust and lint away from appliances (heating/cooling unit, refrigerators, hot water heaters, etc.) on a regular basis so the motors run more efficiently.
When choosing new appliances, base your decision on what your needs are - don’t buy something too big for your needs.
Consider moving your extra refrigerator or freezer out of the garage to the basement and your appliance won’t have to work so hard to stay cool.
Make sure gaskets on the doors of refrigerators and stoves are tight.

Light only the area where you are working, not the whole room.
Turn off lights and appliances when they are not being utilized.
Close vents in rooms that are not being used on a regular basis and close the door.
Run full loads in dishwashers and washing machines.
Choose a stove burner to fit the size of the pan you are using.

Open window shades that receive direct sunlight during the day.
Close shades at night.
Set the thermostat at 68 degrees and lower the setting a few degrees at night, or when the home is unoccupied.
Wear layers of clothing and use extra blankets.
Keep fireplace chimney dampers closed when not using the fireplace.

Leave window shades that receive direct sunlight down during the day.
Try to use the oven, dishwasher and other appliances that produce heat during the late evening and early morning.
Set the thermostat no lower than 78 degrees and turn it up a few degrees when the house is unoccupied.
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes