Energy Savings Tips

Residential

Install these energy-efficient measures:

• Replace and recycle your old refrigerator and purchase energy-efficient models. Units only 10 years old can use twice as much electricity as a new ENERGY STAR® labeled model.
• Insulate ceilings to R-30 standards if your attic has less than R-19.
• Caulk windows, doors and anywhere air leaks in or out. Do not caulk around water heater and furnace exhaust pipes.
• Weatherstrip around windows and doors.
• Wrap heating and cooling ducts with duct wrap, or use mastic sealant.
• Install energy-saver showerheads.
• When buying new appliances, be sure to purchase energy-efficient ENERGY STAR® labeled models.
• Set the furnace thermostat at 68 degrees or lower, and the air-conditioner thermostat at 78 degrees or higher, health permitting. 3 percent to 5 percent more energy is used for each degree the furnace is set above 68 degrees and for each degree the air conditioner is set below 78 degrees.
• If your old air conditioner is on its way out replace it with ENERGY STAR® labeled energy-efficient model.
• Use compact fluorescent lamps. You can lower your lighting bill by converting to energy-efficient low-wattage compact fluorescent lighting and fixtures.
• Replace old windows with new high performance dual pane windows.
• Clean or replace furnace and air-conditioner filters regularly, following manufacturer's instructions.
• Set the water heater thermostat at 140 degrees or "normal." If you have a dishwasher. Otherwise, set it at 120 degrees or "low." Check your dishwasher to see if you can use 120 degree water. Follow the manufacturer's direction on yearly maintenance to extend the life of your unit.
• Fix defective plumbing or dripping faucets. A single dripping hot water faucet can waste 212 gallons of water a month. That not only increases water bills, but also increases the gas or electric bill for heating the water.
• Wash only full loads in a dishwasher and use the shortest cycle that will get your dishes clean. If operating instructions allow, turn off the dishwasher before the drying cycle, open the door and let the dishes dry naturally.
• Defrost refrigerators and freezers before ice buildup becomes 1/4-inch thick.
• Install shades, awnings or sunscreens on windows facing south and/or west to block summer light. In winter, open shades on sunny days to help warm rooms.
• Close the damper when the fireplace is not being used. Try not to use the fireplace and central heating system at the same time.

Commercial

Office Equipment

• Turn off all office equipment and lights every night and weekend. If you can't turn off the whole computer, turn off the monitor and the printer.
• When purchasing PCs, monitors, printers, fax machines and copiers, consider ENERGY STAR models that "power down" after a user-specified period of inactivity.
• If appropriate, use laptop computers and inkjet printers they consume 90 percent less energy than standard desktop computers.
• Use e-mail instead of sending memos and faxing documents.
• If you need to print, consider double-sided printing and reusing paper.

Lighting

• Retrofit T12 lights with magnetic ballasts to T8 lights with electronic ballasts.
• Replace incandescent light lamps with compact fluorescent lamps.
• Consider removing excess fluorescent lights and installing reflectors. Lighter colored walls need less light.
• Install motion detectors to control lighting in frequently unoccupied areas, such as restrooms.
• Retrofit incandescent or fluorescent exit signs with long-lasting, low-energy LED exit signs.
• Clean dusty diffusers and lamps every 6-12 months for improved lumen output.

HVAC

• Set thermostats at 78 degrees F for cooling in the summer and 68 degrees F for heating in the winter.
• Install electronic time clocks or setback-programmable thermostats to maximize efficiency.
• Install locking covers on your thermostats to prevent employee tampering with temperature settings.
• Regularly clean condenser coils, replace air filters, and check ducts and pipe insulation for damage.
• Consider installing an air conditioning economizer to bring in outside air when cool outside.
• Consider replacing old HVAC systems with new energy-efficient systems.
• Install ceiling fans.
• Install blinds or solar screen shades. Use reflective window film or awnings on all south-facing windows.
• Install ceiling and wall insulation.
• Insulate water heaters and supply pipes.

Refrigeration

• Perform scheduled maintenance on units, especially keeping evaporator coils clean and free of ice build-up.
• Adjust door latches, replace worn door gaskets, install autoclosers, and add strip curtains to walkin doors.
• Use night covers on both vertical and horizontal display cases.
• Disconnect anti-condensate heaters.
• Keep refrigerators full (water jugs make good fillers).

Food Service Equipment

• Consider replacing some or all electric cooking equipment with comparably sized gas-fired equipment.
• Purchase insulated cooking equipment whenever possible (e.g., fryers, ovens, coffee machines).
• Preheat cooking equipment no longer and at no higher setting than the manufacturer's recommendation.
• Use cooking equipment to capacity. Fully loaded equipment utilizes energy more efficiently. Turn off unused and backup equipment during low production periods.
• Filter fryer oil at least once a day to extend the oil life.
• Don't overload fryer baskets beyond the recommended capacity. Overloading increases cook time.
• Where applicable, replace broilers with grooved or smooth griddles to significantly reduce the associated energy consumption.
• Make sure oven doors fit tightly and gaskets are in good condition.

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