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Windows and Doors
During hot months, keep window coverings closed on south, east and west windows. Keep windows and doors closed when using an air conditioner or heater. Caulk and weather strip doors and windows. Consider installing low-emissivity windows, which can reduce heat loss by up to 50 percent.
Lighting
Replace incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs, which last up to 10 times longer and use 75 percent less energy. Use natural lighting whenever possible. Use timers and dimmers to lower light levels and reduce energy use. Turn off unnecessary lighting when not in use.
Appliances
Open your refrigerator door as seldom as possible. When washing clothes, wash a full load and use cold water whenever possible. Hang your clothes to dry when possible to save energy. Wait until you have a full load to run the dishwasher and let your dishes air dry. Set your water heater temperature to 120-125 degrees and install a timer that shuts off the unit during times you don’t need hot water. Use a slow cooker or outdoor grill in summer months to keep your kitchen cooler. Move lamps, TVs and other appliances away from your thermostat. The heat they generate can cause the AC to run longer.
Heating
In the winter, set your thermostat between 65 and 68 degrees when at home and 60 to 65 degrees when away. If you have a heat pump, don’t increase the temperature by more than 2 degrees at a time. Use electric space heaters for area heating in rooms that tend to be cooler than others or if you’re only occupying a small area of your home. Turn space heaters off when leaving the room. Open drapes and shades on sunny days to naturally heat up your home. Keep the fireplace damper closed when the fireplace is not in use.
Cooling
In the summer, set your thermostat between 75 and 78 degrees when at home and above 80 degrees when away. Turn off ceiling fans when leaving the room. Fans cool people, not spaces. Install exterior solar screens on windows that receive direct sunlight. Close shades and drapes during the day. Turn off bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans 15 minutes after a task is completed.
