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- Energy Efficiency Home
Energy Efficiency Home
Take a tour and learn useful energy saving tips.
Small changes can make a big difference while still keeping your home comfortable. Making slight adjustments in your everyday activities can help you save money on our Time-of-Day Rate. Explore the rooms of our Energy Efficiency Home to find energy-saving tips to fit your schedule and lifestyle.
- House
- Select an area
- House
- Roof
Install solar panels on your roof to take advantage of the sun's natural energy.
If your house is more than 28 years old, check the insulation in the attic. Even if the insulation met requirements when it was installed, it has most likely settled significantly over time.
- House
- Bathroom
Unplug your bathroom items like hair dryers, shavers and electric toothbrushes when you're not using them.
Consider replacing your bathroom's ventilation fan with an ENERGY STAR® fan to reduce your energy usage. Be sure to turn the fan off when you leave the bathroom.
- House
- Bedroom
For every 2° that you lower your thermostat in the winter or raise it in the summer, you save 5-10% on your heating and cooling costs. So, add a blanket or turn down the comforter to start saving.
Because up to 20 percent of heat or cooling inside a typical house is lost through the windows, check the weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows.
Consider lowering the thermostat on chilly days and use a cozy sweater or extra blanket to keep warm.
Consider installing energy-efficient LED light bulbs and motion-sensing switches. Also, remember to turn off any lights when not in use.
Make sure your fan blades are spinning in the correct direction: counter-clockwise in the spring and summer and clockwise in the fall and winter. This helps make your room feel comfortable year-round.
Get your heating and cooling system professionally checked once a year and change filters regularly to keep the unit running efficiently.
- House
- Office
Be sure all electronic devices that are not in use are shut off completely. Sleeping computers, gaming systems and TVs use energy even when they're off.
See how you use energy during each Time-of-Day time-period with My Energy Tools. Log in to My Account to view your daily and hourly energy use for each time-period.
Consider using a solar-powered charger for your household's cell phones.
Desk lamps focus the light where you actually need it rather than wasting energy lighting the entire room.
Use smart strips so that you can easily turn off multiple appliances at once.
- House
- Living room
Close the damper and cover your fireplace when not in use. Be sure that any fire has been completely extinguished.
Since it gets darker in the fall, consider installing energy-efficient LED light bulbs and removing your old standard bulbs. Also, remember to turn off lights when not in use.
Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Unplug unused appliances, too.
During the summer, close curtains or blinds to act as additional insulation for windows. During the rest of the year, they should be opened during the day to let sunlight in and help heat the home.
Be sure to check your air filters once a month and clean or replace as necessary for maximum performance and energy savings.
Smart thermostats can learn your temperature preferences, adjust temperatures when you're away and allow you to control your thermostat from your smartphone.
Turn off the TV and other electronics when you're not using them.
Find other activities to do that don't involve electricity, like reading a book, going for a walk or playing a board game.
- House
- Kitchen
Clean your refrigerator coils to keep the compressor running efficiently.
Microwaves can use less than half the power of a conventional oven. Consider using your microwave to cook or reheat your dinner, especially between 5-8 p.m.
Even in their "off" setting, some appliances still use phantom energy when plugged in. Use a smart strip or unplug devices when not in use.
Run your dishwasher with a full load and use the air-dry option if available. Start it when you head to bed for off-peak pricing.
It's always a great time to try out new slow-cooker recipes. Slow cookers use less energy and are great for quick and easy dinners.
One size does not fit all. Be sure to use the right sized pot on the right burner. A small pot on a large burner wastes energy and creates extra heat.
In the fall and winter, bring in houseplants that have spent the summer outdoors. They'll help clean the air.
- House
- Laundry
Set your water heater to the lowest temperature that provides sufficient hot water, but typically not below 120°. For added efficiency, wrap your water heater with a water heater blanket, especially if it's in an unheated area.
Wait to do laundry until you have enough for a full load.
Set your dryer to automatically turn off when it senses the clothes are sufficiently dry. This saves unneeded drying time and energy.
Set a time to iron when you won't be interrupted. Keeping the iron heated while you take care of other things wastes electricity and isn't safe.
Hang your clothes outside or use a drying rack instead of using the dryer.
- House
- Outdoor area
A pool cover can help reduce heat loss up to 50% - 70%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Reduce your peak-period use and make the most of our warmer weather by cooking your meals outside on the grill. Bring your grill onto a well-lit patio or area by your house so you can grill even after the sun has set.
Get a jump start on the cold winter nights! Install foam covers over outside water spigots to prevent freezing.
To make sure outdoor lights aren't on during the day, install light-sensitive controls or timers to automatically turn off lights when not needed.
Looking for more cost savings tips? Try our Time-of-Day Cost Estimator.