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Save water, too
Avoid using large amounts of water during peak periods. A tremendous amount of electricity is used to run the numerous pumps that obtain, purify and bring water to your house and then transport wastes to your regional water utility.
To help reduce this energy use, SMUD and the Sacramento Area Water Works Association ask that you avoid using large amounts of water during the peak energy demand hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Because energy prices are highest during peak hours, it costs your local water utility more to run the water pumps during those hours. These costs -- along with the higher energy costs that are impacting your water utility and everyone in the state -- are eventually passed down to you.
With that in mind, it's easy to see how being water wise and energy smart can keep your water bill stable and help SMUD and the rest of the state conserve energy during peak hours. Here are some water wise tips that'll help conserve energy:
Plan ahead so that clothes and dishes are washed in the late evening.
Water your lawns and gardens between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., and spread out the watering times in that wider window of opportunity, not just the 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. period.
Stay cool, save energy and money
with these Conservation Tips
The most important factor in cooling your home is not to let it heat up in the first place. Good insulation, caulking and weather stripping help keep the heat outside during the summer. So do shade trees, overhangs, awnings and shades. Limiting the use of household appliances that emit heat also helps.
The following tips will help keep you cool and save money on summer energy bills.
- Keep windows closed during the heat of the day.
- Draw blinds and draperies during the day to keep the heat out.
- Set the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer. You will save about 5 to 10 percent on the operating cost of your air conditioner for every two degrees of cooling you're willing to give up.
- Give appliances a break during hot summer afternoons and evenings. Many appliances create added heat and moisture making your air conditioner work harder. Limit the use of ranges and stoves, dishwashers, dryers, washing machines and other heat-producing equipment during midday. Use them in the early mornings or late evenings when the temperature is cooler.
- Avoid keeping unnecessary lights turned on.
- Prepare cool meals such as salads and sandwiches. If you must cook a hot meal, wait until later in the evening when it's cooler.
- Use small fans, box fans or ceiling fans instead of the central air conditioning unit when you plan to stay in one room for an extended period of time. Individual fans cost about 90 percent less to operate than central cooling systems.
- Adjust ceiling fans to turn counter-clockwise in the summer, Usually this means that the switch on the fan should be in the "down" position.
- Change your air filter regularly. An air conditioning unit with dirty filters can use 5 to 10 percent more energy than necessary.
- If you have a refrigerator or freezer in the garage that is not full, consider getting rid of it. These appliances tend to be older and therefore less energy efficient causing them to run continuously in very hot environments.
- SMUD's Shade Tree program offers free shade trees for customers whose homes have an eastern, western or southern exposure that heats up during the summer.
More tips:
Weatherization
Weatherstripping and caulking can help keep your home comfortable. If your house is more than 15 years old, check the insulation in the attic and floor. Even if the insulation met requirements when it was installed 15 years ago, it has most likely settled significantly over time.
Current standards call for at least R-30 in the attic, R-13 in the walls, and R-19 in the floor.
Because up to 20 percent of the heat inside a typical house is lost through the windows, check the weatherstripping and caulking around doors and windows.
Appliances
When not in use, turn off lights and appliances. More tips:
- Some newer TVs, VCRs and other electronic appliances have a "sleep" or "stand-by" mode that allows them to start immediately when you turn them on. However, that means they are constantly drawing a small amount of energy. When possible, you should switch this option off.
- Use appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers only when they are full, and preferably before or after the peak hours of 4-8 p.m., when demand for electricity is highest.
- Refrigerators usually consume the second most amount of energy in a home. (No. 1: the heating/air conditioning system.) Help the refrigerator maintain its efficiency by cleaning the coils at the back or bottom of the unit.
- Don't let children stand in front of an open refrigerator while they are deciding what they want to eat. Every time you open a refrigerator door, the compressor has to run for 8-10 minutes to keep the inside cold.
- When you are ready to replace an appliance, seriously consider purchasing an Energy Star® model. Energy Star® appliances are between 15 percent to 40 percent more efficient than older models, and will save you energy for years to come.
- Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). Newer CFLs consume about 20 percent of the energy incandescent lights use and last ten times longer, yet produce the same amount of light. If you replace just five 100-watt incandescent bulbs with five comparable 23-watt CFLs, you will save about $100 over three years. Discounts on CFLs may be available at local retailers.
Going on Vacation?
- Set your air conditioner thermostat at 85 degrees or higher.
- Put lights on a timer to save energy and give the house a "lived in" look.
- Draw the drapes on windows facing the south and west.
- Shift the water heater to the lowest setting.
- Check to make sure no faucets are dripping.
- Set the timer on the pool and spa, and hot tub filters to run before 1 p.m. or after 10 p.m.
Home office
When not in use, turn off home office equipment, including computers, monitors, printers and faxes. More tips:
- Some newer computers and other electronic equipment have a "sleep" or "stand-by" mode that allows them to start immediately when you turn them on. However, that means they are constantly drawing a small amount of energy. When possible, you should switch this option off.
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When you are ready to replace a piece of electronic equipment, seriously consider purchasing an Energy Star® model. Energy Star® equipment are between 15 percent to 40 percent more efficient than older models, and will save you energy for years to come. For more information on Energy Star® ratings go to www.energystar.gov.