Top 24 Ways to Save Energy in Your Home

1. Visit us on Facebook to discuss many ways to save: www.facebook.com/GoldenValleyElectric.
2. Use a Smart Strip Power Strip. Already have one? Here's a great video about how to use the Smart Strip.
3. Unplug those electric heaters. A 1,200-watt electric heater left on for a few hours every night costs about $1 per day or $30 per month.
4. Visit http://www.togetherwesave.com and take the Home Tour to find out how little changes add up.
5. Schedule a Home$ense audit with GVEA to find out where you use the most energy in your home and how you can can save it.
6. Switch your incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).  Visit Touchstone Energy's savings calculator to find out how much you could save.  Disposal and mercury FAQ
7. Use a timer when plugging in your vehicle (most cars only need 3 to 4 hours per night, 5 to 6 for diesels).
8. Unplug phantom appliances (plug electronics into "smart strips" to make this task easier).
9. Replace aging appliances with more efficient ENERGY STAR models.
10. Turn off computers when you are not using them -- especially overnight.
11. Run dishwasher with full loads and take advantage of the air dry mode (no-heat drying option).
12. Install foam insulators behind outlets and switch plates on exterior walls.
13. Clean refrigerator coils every three months.
14. Pull out the Crockpot; slow cookers use less energy than your built-in appliances.  View some of the energy costs for average household appliances.
15. Keep electric water heater temperature at lowest recommended setting (120-130° F).  Heating hot water that needs to be blended with cold water is a waste of energy.
16. Use cold water to wash most clothes; air dry clothes you don't need immediately.
17. After removing them from the dryer, hang clothes right away to prevent ironing.
18. Defrost frozen food in the refrigerator a day or two before cooking.  This is like putting a FREE block of ice in your refrigerator.
19. Turn down the thermostat.  Six degrees can save up to 20 percent on your heating bill.
20. Use lined or insulated drapes on your windows.
21. Take quick showers instead of baths and use a low-flow shower head (available in the Home$ense Audit).
22. Use an electric water pot. They are more efficient than heating water on the stove.
23. Turn off lights when not in use.
24. Combine different food dishes in the oven.  For example, if you need to cook one dish at 375°F and another at 325°F, set the oven at 350°F and adjust the cook times accordingly.

For more energy saving ideas, visit GVEA's Room by Room Energy Saving Checklist.

FAQ

Is it better to use hot water from the faucet for cooking or to heat cold water on the stove?

Use cold water for cooking, even if you will heat it on the stove.  Health experts say hot water that has been sitting in your water heater isn't wholesome for cooking.

Is it really worth changing out my incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents?  They are still more expensive.

YES!  Lighting accounts for almost one fifth of all electricity consumed in the United States.  Incandescent bulbs are inefficient and waste 90% of their energy producing heat (which may be nice in Alaska, but it is not the most efficient heat).  Though a CFL will cost about 10 times as much as an incandescent bulb, it will last 10 times longer.  The savings on your electric bill will begin immediately.

Hint:  Choose CFLs with a much lower voltage than the incandescent bulbs they will be replacing.  For example, replace 100-watt incandescents with 26-30-watt CFLs to get the same light output.

Does setting my thermostat at a lower temperature really help?

Yes.  Each degree over 70 adds about three percent (or more) to your annual heating bill.  When you're out of the house during the day, try setting your thermostat to 62 and return it to its normal setting when you return.  Remember, turning it way up to reheat the house quickly destroys the good you've done by turning it down while away.  Going on vacation?  Turn the thermostat to 55, but never turn the heat completely off.  This puts your house at risk of broken pipes and a huge mess!

Is it more efficient to wash dishes under running water (hand wash) or in the dishwasher?

A dishwasher is far more efficient if used properly.  Run the dishwasher only when full and use the air dry feature instead of heat dry to reduce energy costs.  If your dishwasher does not offer an air dry feature, simply stop the cycle after wash to let the dishes air dry.

Does opening and closing the refrigerator door really waste energy?

You bet.  A little planning eliminates the constant opening and closing of the door that contributes to energy waste.  So does regularly defrosting and periodic cleaning of the refrigerator's coils and condenser.

What would you say are the best applications for LEDs?

In addition to making great flashlights, light emitting diodes (LEDs) make the most efficient Christmas lights, requiring only 0.08 watts per light. They have an extremely long lifespan and don’t get hot. To put the savings in perspective, standard incandescent C7 lights run between 4 to 7 watts and can produce a lot of heat – enough to melt strands of tinsel. Lit for just six hours a day, one string can add $2 to your electric bill.  Incandescent minilights run on much less power, around 0.48 watts, and can help save on your bill. However, while they don’t get as hot as the C7 bulbs, they can still get quite warm. Another advantage of LEDs – no more broken bulbs.