It’s important to realize that you’ll save the most electricity by dealing with the biggest electricity guzzlers first. Struggling with whether to boil a cup of water on an electric burner or in a microwave, or whether lights burn out quicker if you turn them off rather than keeping them on, probably won’t make much of a difference on your bill. It’s the bigger things that matter the most. With that in mind, what are the big energy users in your home?
- Heating
- Lighting
- Clothes Dryer
- Refrigerator & Freezers
- Electric Water Heater
- Electric Heaters
- Plugging in Cars (without using a timer)
Remember: It's not the size of the house that matters, it's the electrical usage habits of the occupants in conjunction with the age and number of electrical appliances.
We've compiled a list of 20 ways to save. It's by no means all inclusive, but it will get you started. We encourage you to check out the Room-by-Room Energy Saving Checklist for a more detailed list of low-cost or no-cost energy saving ideas.
1. Use a timer when plugging in your vehicleSave Interior Alaska's air quality that becomes polluted by cold vehicle exhaust. GVEA and the Fairbanks North Star Borough recommend plugging in at 20° above zero. Most cars only need 3 to 4 hours per night, 5 to 6 for diesels. Visit our YouTube page for a video about plugging in. Find out how much it costs plug in your vehicle.
2. Switch your incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)It may not seem like a big deal, but the numbers are in: a CFL uses about a quarter of the energy as an incandescent bulb. Disposal & Mercury FAQ
3. Use electric heaters sparingly
A 1,200-watt electric heater left on for just a few hours each day costs about $30 per month. That's $1 per day.
4. Visit www.togetherwesave.com to find out how the little changes add upTogether We Save is a national campaign designed to help members make small changes that add up to big savings on their energy bills. Take their customized Home Tour to find out how the little things add up.
5. Schedule a Home$ense Audit with GVEAGVEA's Home$ense Energy Audit is a great way to find out where your home uses the most energy and how to cut back. You'll receive many tips and tricks as well as items to help you on your way.
6. Plug all of your electronic accessories into a Smart StripDid you know many appliances suck electricity even when they are turned off? These are called phantom appliances. Do away with the phantoms by plugging them into a Smart Strip. Watch a video about how they work.
7. Replace aging appliances with more energy efficient Energy Star models
What do you have in your garage? In Alaska, it's common to have a second refrigerator or freezer in the garage. If it is a pre-2001 model, chances are it's not very efficient. When the time comes to replace it, make sure you get an energy efficient model.
8. Turn off computers when you are not using themEspecially overnight. Computers are infamous for sucking energy when they appear to be "off." Don't just put the computer in "sleep mode," turn it off.
9. Check out our Room-By-Room Energy Saving ChecklistUse this checklist to find out where you can save the most energy in your home. It's full of no-cost or low-cost ideas.
10. Install foam insulators behind outletsIf you run your hand in front of an outlet or switchplate against an outside wall, you may notice a draft. You can find foam insulators at most hardware stores and in the GVEA lobby. Block the drafts.
11. Clean refrigerator coils every three monthsPet hair, human hair, dust and more can get wrapped around the refrigerator coils making your refrigerator less efficient. Use a long brush to clean the coils quarterly.
12. Pull out the CrockpotCountertop appliances consume less energy than your build-ins. View some of the costs of average household appliances.
13. Keep the electric water heater temperature at the lowest recommended settingA good setting for a water heater is 120°F. Heating hot water that needs to be blended with cold water is a waste of energy.
14. Use cold water to wash clothes and air dry items you don't need immediatelyDryers aren't efficient. If you do use a dryer, make sure you hang the clothes right away to eliminate the need for ironing.
15. Defrost frozen food in the refrigeratorIt's like having a free block of ice in the fridge. Plan ahead; it will take a day or two for the food to thaw.
Put on a sweater. Just six degrees can save up to 20 percent on your heating bill. Better yet, use a programmable thermostat.
17. Use lined or insulated drapes on your windowsThese are great year-round. They're generally good at blocking the sun on summer nights when you are trying to sleep and they keep the heat in during the winter.
18. Take quick showers instead of bathsAnd use a low-flow showerhead. Don't worry, the water pressure won't change. Your water bill will.
19. Turn off the lights when not in useHave you heard this one before?
20. 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.
