| With the cost to produce and distribute
energy rising, energy conservation is becoming
a bigger priority for utilities and home owners.
By taking the time to inventory your energy
usage, you may be able to drastically lower
your monthly electric bill. By making adjustments
now, you won’t only save next month, but
will continue to gather savings over time. Start
saving energy and time today, by becoming your
own Energy Manager.
We have tools and resources available to help
you through your energy management process.
An energy audit can be your first step toward
energy management. Energy
audits are available through RPU for $40
($175 value), and will include a thorough analysis
of your home’s energy efficiency by a
certified energy auditor.
Included below are suggestions for self-help
improvements, that may save you money!
25 Ways to Conserve Energy…
- Follow yearly maintenance schedules to
ensure that your furnace and air conditioner
run efficiently.
- Sign up for RPU’s Partners
load management program.
- When buying new appliances for your home,
purchase ENERGY STAR® qualifying appliances.
ENERGY STAR appliances use less energy than
standard appliances and can possibly qualify
for rebates through our Conserve
and Save program.
- Install a programmable thermostat to
automatically adjust the temperature when
you are not home.
- Limit heating to 68 degrees (and to 55
degrees when you go to bed or are away)
and cooling to 78 degrees.
- Replace all incandescent light bulbs
with compact fluorescent lights (CFL). CFL’s
last up to 10 to 15 times longer and are
75 percent more efficient than incandescent
bulbs.
- Seal up all windows that have a draft
by using a window sealing kit.
- Weather strip or caulk around loose-fitting
exterior door jambs and windows. As much
as 40 percent of your heating and cooling
costs can be due to air leaks.
- Install gaskets behind switch and wall
plates.
- Install a chimney collar and apply high
temperature sealant.
- Open shades during the heating season
and close them during the cooling season.
- Unplug rarely used appliances such as
a TV located in the spare bedroom.
- Reduce water heater temperature to below
120 degrees (unless your dishwasher requires
140 degrees – check your manual).
- Dry your clothes on a laundry line instead
of using a clothes dryer.
- Use a fan in conjunction with air conditioners
to avoid having to set the air conditioner
too low.
- When possible, wash clothes in cold water.
- Wash full loads. Clothes washers and
dishwashers are most efficient when operated
with full loads.
- Turn off lights when leaving a room.
- Clean light bulbs and fixtures regularly.
A heavy coat of dust can block up to 50
percent of the light output.
- Don’t open your refrigerator door
too often! Every time the door is opened,
up to 30 percent of the cooled air can escape.
- Use microwaves, toaster ovens, and slow
cookers. These use 75 percent less energy
than an electric oven.
- When “peeking” in your oven
to check on your food, you can lose 25 to
50 degrees or up to 30 percent of the heat.
No “peeking”!
- Vacuum your refrigerator condenser coils
every six months.
- Do the “dollar bill” test!
Check your refrigerator and freezer door
gaskets by placing a dollar bill between
the gaskets and closing the door. If the
bill pulls out easily, it suggests either
a gasket or door adjustment problem.
- Sign up for a home energy
audit to assess where energy efficient
changes can be made to save you energy and
money.
Useful links to
more energy saving ideas
Low
Cost/No Cost Energy Saving Actions for your
Home
ENERGY
STAR®
US
Dept of Energy- Energy Efficiency and Renwable
Energy
US
Dept of Energy
Minnesota
Department of Commerce
For more information on home energy audits
or energy conservation tips, please contact:
Sara Gimberline
(507) 292-1225
sgimberline@rpu.org
|
