Simple Ways to Save

KITCHEN

Let’s Get Cooking

• If you need to use the oven for something small, use a toaster oven instead.
• Use lids on your pots and pans when you use the stove.
• If you’re boiling something, be sure to turn down the stove as soon as it reaches that point – once liquids boil, they won’t get any hotter.
• Defrost food before cooking to reduce stove and/or oven time, and don’t preheat when you don’t need to – broiled meals and casseroles can go in the oven as soon as you turn it on.
• If you need a new stove or oven, consider gas: they cost less to use, and tend to take less cooking time.
• A dirty oven is less efficient – clean off baked-on gunk and grease.

Chill out

• Your fridge/freezer account for about 20% of your energy costs Put frequently accessed foods in the front of your refrigerator shelves to minimize the time the door remains open.
• Replace the door seals if you can feel an air leak.
• Keep your fridge in a cool place, away from ovens, clothes dryers, etc., to keep it from overheating and overworking.
• If you have an extra fridge you barely use, unplugging it can save 15% on your bill.
• The most efficient settings for a fridge is 38-40°F and a freezer 0°F.
• Defrost on a regular basis: more than ¼” of frost makes your freezer work harder than it needs to. Inspect and clean the condenser coils on the back or bottom of your fridge at least twice a year.
• Allow leftovers to cool a bit before you put them in the fridge or freezer. This saves energy the fridge would otherwise spend cooling the warm food down. Fridges work best when full, but not overloaded.

Washing Up

• Run the dishwasher only when it’s a full load.
• When washing dishes by hand, fill the sink with soapy water instead of constantly running the water from the tap.
• If possible, rinse dishes in cold water. Let your dishes air-dry, either in the dishwasher or on a rack.
• If you don’t use your dishwasher at all, or if it has a booster heater, set your home water heater to 120-130°F for efficiency.
• Just How Bad is a Leak? One drop of hot water per second can waste 2500 gallons per year. Ouch.

BRIGHTEN UP

• Lighting can account for about 12% of your monthly bill.
• Replace conventional (incandescent) bulbs with CFLs, which use 75% less energy and have a lifetime eight to ten times longer.
• Tip: 75-watt incandescent bulbs can be replaced by 18-watt CFLs Green Fact: The U.S. throws 1.741 billion incandescent bulbs away annually.
• If you don’t want to change your bulbs, think about investing in solid-state dimmer switches. They can extend the life of standard bulbs while decreasing the cost to run them.
• Make sure to turn lights off when you leave a room.
• If you find yourself neglecting to regularly turn off lights, consider getting timers and/or motion sensors. Garage and outdoor lighting are well suited for this.
• Consider getting photocells for security or backyard lighting. They automatically turn on your lights when the sun goes down, and shut them off when the sun rises.
• When lighting up your yard, install low-voltage lighting wherever possible. Six low-voltage lights use roughly 108 watts, compared to a 150-watt single floodlight.

HEATING UP

During the winter months, heating your house can make up 13-16% of your energy bill.

• If you have a water heater that’s 5 years old or older, buying a water heater blanket can save up to 9% on your water-heating costs and reduce 1000 pounds of carbon emissions each year. Check the caution label on your water heater, though: newer water heaters are sufficiently insulated, and using a blanket could actually be hazardous. Also, make sure not to obscure the inspection plate with the blanket.
• Each time you lower your thermostat two degrees you can save 5% on your bill.
• Consider investing in a programmable thermostat, which can adjust the temperature automatically throughout the day for maximum energy efficiency.
• Resist the temptation to turn your heat to “high” in an effort to heat your home quickly.
• Space heaters are great for heating one room at a time. If you use more than one, however, you are likely spending more heat and energy than if you had used your furnace to heat the whole house.
• Preventing heat from escaping will keep you toastier and save you money. Keep doors and windows closed when it’s cold outside, and consider caulking and weather-stripping– you could save 6% on your heating bill.
• Don’t block heating vents – it strains your heating system Make sure furniture isn’t blocking an indoor vent, and that plants aren’t blocking an outdoor one. It’s wise to have your heating system checked annually by a professional.
• Make sure to check your filters at least twice during chilly months and either vacuum or replace them as needed.
• If your home isn’t adequately insulated you can lose up to 20% of your heat through the ceiling. Improving your insulation may qualify you for energy tax credits.

COOLING DOWN

• Use fans instead of air conditioning– they can save you a whopping 80-90% over air conditioning! Don’t forget to turn them off when you leave the room.
• If your house is shaded, it’s much cheaper and easier to cool than if it’s in direct sunlight. You can use awnings and/or landscaping to shelter your home from the sun.
• Just as with your heating system, it’s a good idea to get a yearly air conditioner inspection from a professional. Like heating vents, make sure your air conditioning vents aren’t blocked.
• If you’re in the market for an air conditioner, make sure you consider each of these factors about the space you’d like to cool before you buy: size of the area, insulation, number and location of windows, wiring, climate and sun exposure, any relevant facts about your home’s construction… and don’t forget to look for one with an Energy Star label!
• The most efficient setting for your air conditioner is 78°F or higher. Your costs will be reduced by 12% if you switch from 72°F to 78°F.
• Closing blinds and drapes will keep your home cooler. In the same vein, adding solar shade screens or reflective films to sun-drenched windows will help to cool down your house.

KEEPING YOU CLEAN

Laundry:

• Wash clothes in cold water – over 70% of the cost of doing a load of laundry goes to heating the water. Not only that, clothes washed in cold water retain their color longer and get fewer wrinkles.
• Rinse every load in cold water and wash only full loads.
• Use a drying rack or clotheslines to dry your clothes in the breeze and sunshine instead of the dryer.
• If you do use the dryer, dry only full loads and empty the lint trap after each load.

Shower Time:

• Be efficient – drawn-out showers are wasteful.
• Using low-flow devices on your showers and taps can reduce your water use by 11%.

HOME AS A WHOLE

• Whenever you’re in the market for a new appliance, strongly consider getting one with the ENERGY STAR label. You’ll save money by using energy efficient models.
• Keep in mind to replacing appliances when they need to go and do green home improvements/repairs that qualify for energy tax credits.

STEPPING OUT

• Bring your plastic shopping or grocery bags to your supermarket or other stores that collect and recycle them.
• Carpool whenever possible. You’re saving gas money and reducing emissions.
• If you’re in the market for a new car, consider a hybrid.

 Enjoy your greener lifestyle!  Your wallet and our planet will thank you.