Summer Energy Saving Tips

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Keep Cool without Air Conditioning

• Use fans. At night they help rid the house of the heat of the daytime sun.
• Use ceiling fans. They make people feel four degrees cooler than the actual temperature.
• Close shades and windows. During the day, that is. At night, open windows opposite one another for cross-ventilation.
• Got a waterbed? It may use as much electricity as your refrigerator. To save more than 30% of that cost, make the bed routinely and cover it with a comforter.

Keep Cool with Air Conditioning

• Set the thermostat at 78 F or higher if you use a ceiling fan. You save 3 to 5% on your air conditioning cost for each degree you raise the thermostat above 75 F.
• Clean the filters. Check furnace and air filters monthly or as recommended by the manufacturer. Clean or replace them as needed.
• Use the "AUTO FAN" setting.
• Getting an air conditioner? Buy Energy Star. It can save you up to 10% over one that doesn't have the label. However, have an air conditioning technician or energy auditor determine the right size for the space.
• Install a programmable thermostat. Make sure it is programmed to turn down the heating or cooling automatically when you are not home and when you are sleeping.

Cooking

• Avoid the stove or the oven. Use toaster ovens, crockpots, microwaves when you are cooking small to medium-sized meals. They use less energy than your stove or oven.
• Use the smallest pans possible It takes less energy to heat them.
• Use lids They help the food cook more quickly by keeping the steam in.
• Turn off electric burners and ovens just before cooking is complete The food will continue to cook.
• When using a gas stove, ensure the burners are clean. Blue flames indicate good combustion, yellow means you may need to service the stove.
• Keep preheating time to a minimum
• Don't peek! You lose heat every time you open the door or lift the lid.
• Keep racks clear Foil on oven shelves blocks heat and costs money.

Refrigerators

An old refrigerator costs the average family about $140 a year (that's almost $12 per month). To cut those costs:

• Check refrigerator temperatures You're losing money if they're lower than 37-40°F for fresh food and 0-5°F in your freezer. To check? Put one thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator, and another between packages in the freezer. Read them after 24 hours. And to keep refrigerators cold, close doors quickly.
• Defrost manual-defrost refrigerators Frost makes these models less efficient - and helps spoil foods.
• Cover and wrap food Uncovered foods and liquids release moisture and drive up electricity costs.
• Got a second older refrigerator? Unplug it! Remember: it can cost about $140 a year to keep it plugged in. And always remove the door when you unplug the refrigerator so that children cannot accidentally be caught inside.
• Buying a new refrigerator? Get an Energy Star model Replacing a refrigerator bought in 1990 with a new Energy Star model would save enough energy to light the average household for over three months.
• Place your refrigerator away from heat such as your stove.
• Clean refrigerator condenser coils for maximum efficiency and to avoid repairs

How Can Kids Help?

• Turn off the lights When you leave your room - and the bathroom.
• Turn off the radio, TV, computer, and games when you stop using them.
• Take shorter showers They use about half as much water as a full bathtub.
• Check for problems Mom and Dad haven't noticed Like dripping faucets - it takes energy to heat the water.
• Share rides with friends to after-school activities
• Close the fridge! Decide what you want from the refrigerator BEFORE opening the door - then close it quickly.
• Try a sweater if you're cold in the house? Don't turn up the thermostat.
• Recycle! Sell toys or old clothes at a yard sale or donate them to a charity. Then someone else can use them.

Last updated August 28, 2023