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Saving Energy at Home
Using electricity wisely helps lower your energy bills, reduces strain on the power grid, and protects the environment. Small changes—like upgrading to efficient lighting, choosing ENERGY STAR appliances, and using heat pumps for heating and cooling—can make a big difference. RMLD has collected practical tips to help you save energy at home.
Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling is the biggest energy consumer in most homes and can account for close to half of the total energy use. Here are some simple steps to heat and cool your home more efficiently:
- Set your thermostat back 7°-10°F for eight hours per day. Turning the temperature down in the winter and up in the summer when you are not at home can save as much as 10% of your annual heating and cooling costs.
- Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in unnecessary energy use.
- Limit temperature adjustments on your heat pump. Heat pumps work most efficiently when maintaining a steady temperature setting. Adjusting the temperature for a few hours may actually increase the system's overall energy use.
- Invest in a 'smart' programmable thermostat. “A smart thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature when you’re away or asleep, saving energy without any manual changes. Many thermostats have an extended away mode to set your thermostat at while you are away on vacation.
- Air seal by caulking around windows. This will help to prevent heat and/or air conditioning from escaping, helping heating and cooling systems to work more efficiently.
Did you know? RMLD Offers a rebate or zero-percent loan for new heat pump installation. Get details and apply here >>
Hot Water Heaters
Water heating typically accounts for about 18% of your home's energy use and is the second largest energy expense in most homes. Water heater adjustments are a quick way to reduce energy use at home.
- Insulating the heater tank or pipes can help reduce heat loss and make your system more efficient.
- Lowering the water heating temperature to around 120°F (49°C) will reduce the energy drawn by your system.
- Using less hot water overall, by reducing shower times, will also reduce energy use.
Explore more on energy-efficient hot water systems and upgrades at Energy.gov.
Lighting
The type of lighting you select for your home impacts your energy use and in turn, your electric bill. Light Emitting Diode (LED) light bulbs typically use up to 70-90% less energy than energy saving incandescent light bulbs LED bulbs last longer than other lighting options.
How long will my bulb last?
- Traditional Incandescent: 1,000 hours
- Energy Saving (Halogen) Incandescent: 3,000 hours
- Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs): 10,000 hours
- LED: 25,000 hours
Appliances
Keeping energy efficiency in mind when using and choosing home appliances is an important part of reducing your overall energy use. Appliances account for a large share of household electricity. Selecting ENERGY STAR-certified appliances that are designed to operate efficiently without sacrificing performance, can help you reduce your energy use at home. RMLD offers rebates for electric induction stoves and ENERGY STAR snowblowers. Everyday habits can make an impact on your energy use and your bill. RMLD has collected some simple steps you can take to reduce the energy used by your major appliances.
- Wash your clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents whenever possible.
- Wash and dry full loads. If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.
- Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.
- Don't over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it.
- Clean the lint screen in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation and prevent fire hazards.
- Periodically, use the long nozzle tip on your vacuum cleaner to remove the lint that collects below the lint screen in the lint screen slot of your clothes dryer.
- Use the cool-down cycle to allow the clothes to finish drying with the heat remaining in the dryer.
- Periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire. Manufacturers recommend using rigid venting material -- not plastic vents that may collapse and cause blockages.
- Consider air-drying clothes on clothes lines or drying racks. Air drying is recommended by clothing manufacturers for some fabrics.
- If you have a front-loading washer or high-efficiency top-loader, use detergent labeled for high-efficiency (HE) machines.
- Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 35°-38°F for the fresh food compartment and 0° F for separate freezers for long-term storage.
- Check the refrigerator temperature by placing an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator. Read it after 24 hours. Check the freezer temperature by placing a thermometer between frozen packages. Read it after 24 hours.
- Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment, the seal may need replacing, or you may consider buying a new unit.
- Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
- Regularly defrost manual-defrost freezers and refrigerators; frost buildup decreases the energy efficiency of the unit. Don't allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.
- Check the manual that came with your dishwasher for the manufacturer's recommendations on water temperature; many have internal heating elements that allow you to set the water heater in your home to a lower temperature (120° F).
- Scrape, don't rinse, off large food pieces and bones. Soaking or pre-washing is generally only recommended in cases of burned- or dried-on food.
- Be sure your dishwasher is full (not overloaded) when you run it.
- Avoid using the "rinse hold" on your machine for just a few soiled dishes. It uses 3-7 gallons of hot water each use.
- Let your dishes air dry; if you don't have an automatic air-dry switch, turn off the control knob after the final rinse and prop the door open slightly so the dishes will dry faster.
Smart Power Strips
Did you know that some of your home electronics may be drawing electricity even when turned off? Advanced power strips ensure that electronics such as home entertainment or video game systems do not consume power when not in use.