Utility Watch

June 1, 2001

How to Save Energy Tips

With energy prices climbing across the country, Californians are not the only ones who could be saving money and fuel by observing a few energy-saving tips.

Whatever we conserve represents money saved and resources spared.  Sometimes an improvement will cost initiallybut the expense will pay for itself in increased efficiency.

HEATING AND COOLING

Keeping your home a comfortable indoor temperature is probably your largest energy expenditure.  Reduce the amount spent without investment or lifestyle changes simply by closing the doors and turning off heating or cooling vents in unused rooms.

Weatherizing and insulating your home will help reduce energy bills.  Use caulk to plug leaks along windows and apply weather stripping in doorways.  A quarter-inch gap at the bottom of a typical door is equal to a three-inch square hole in the wall!

Keep heating and cooling equipment in good condition, replacing or cleaning air filters frequently.  If you have an air conditioner outside in direct sunlight, erect a shade over itjust be sure not to block the air intakes.

If you do not have air conditioning or would like to reduce your dependence on it, consider a ceiling fan.  They are cheap, easy to install and go a long way toward circulating the air on a hot day.

Limit your use of appliances that throw off heat for cooler times of the day.  When practical, run the dishwasher, washing machine and dryer at night.  Cook outside instead of using the stove or oven.  When cooking inside, remember that microwaves use less energy and give off less heat.

Set the air conditioner temperature a degree or two higher.  For each degree you raise it, you can reduce your cooling bills by 3 percent.

Outside vegetation keeps homes cool inside.  Plant trees around your home for shade and bushes close to the house.  It takes years for a tree to grow enough to provide shade, but planting climbing vine on the sunny sides of a house will also help lessen the suns radiation.

Carefully insulating and sealing leaky ducts throughout the house can lower the amount you spend on cooling or heating by almost half.

HOT WATER

Use less hot water by installing low-flow showerheads.  This can cut hot water requirements by as much as 50 percent, saving 14,000 gallons of hot water a year for a family of four.  Insulate hot water pipes and hot water heater with a jacket that costs less than $20 at home supply stores.

LIGHTS

Turn off lights that are not in use.  Switch to florescent light bulbs.  They cost a little more but use 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last for thousands of hours.

REFRIGERATORS

Refrigerators, like most appliances, work most efficiently when well maintained.  Manual refrigerators use less energy than frost-free models.  Temperatures should be kept within the 37-40-degree range.  Freezers should be set around 10 degrees if used to store meat.  If not, freezers may be set around 25 degrees.

Refrigerators work best when they are full, but not overcrowded.  Where the refrigerator is situated makes a big difference too.  Locate the refrigerator away from the stove, out of the sunlight and away from heating ducts.  Periodically move the appliance away from the wall and vacuum coils to improve efficiency.

Try not to let the frost build up the freezerdefrost when the frost becomes a quarter-inch thick.

Close the refrigerator door quickly, especially in humid weather.

Look around your home, assess your needs versus your habits and you could start saving money by the time that next electricity bill hits the mailbox.  There are multiple opportunities around your home to start saving energy.