50 Energy Conservation Tips

Here are 50 energy conservation tips to help drive your "Energy Footprint" down. This should be the first place you start before implementing any type of solar technology application.

50 Basic Tips for Energy Conservation

#1 - Increase insulation.

#2 - Block direct sunshine from windows.           

#3 - Invest in solar hot water systems.

#4 - Purchase power efficient appliances.

#5 - Convert to florescent and led bulbs.

#6 - Consider using high-intensity discharge (also called HID) or low-pressure sodium lights.

#7 -Unplug unnecessary appliances, such as a water heater when not in use.

#8 - Replace thermostat with a programmable thermostat.

#9 - Replace light switches with sensor light switches.

#10 - Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.

#11 - Always look for the ENERGY STAR ® and EnergyGuide labels when shopping for home appliances. The ENERGY STAR ® label is the government's seal of energy efficiency. #13 - The EnergyGuide label estimates an appliance's energy consumption.

#12 - Clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation.

#13 - Consider air-drying clothes on clothes lines or drying racks. Air-drying is recommended by clothing manufacturers for some fabrics.

#14 - Don't over-dry your clothes. If your machine has a moisture sensor, use it.

#15 - Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight clothes.

#16 - For older appliances, use a power controlling device to reduce the energy consumption of the appliance's electric motor.

#17 - Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use (TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power).

#18 - Unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.

#19 - Turn off your monitor when you're away from your PC for 20 minutes or more. If you will be away for two hours or more, turn off your personal computer and monitor.

#20 - There is a common misconception that screen savers reduce energy use by monitors; they do not. Automatic switching to sleep mode or manually turning monitors off is always the better energy-saving strategy.

#21 - Insulate your hot water heater and hot water pipes to prevent heat loss.

#22 - Insulate heating ducts in unheated areas such as attics and crawlspaces and keep them in good repairto prevent heat loss of up to 60 percent at the registers.

#23 - Heating can account for almost half of the average family's winter energy bill. Make sure your furnace or heat pump receives professional maintenance each year. Look for the ENERGY STAR ® label when replacing your system.

#24 - Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed.

#25 - Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.

#26 - Place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.

#27 - Turn off kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing to retain heated air.

#28 - Use outdoor lights with a photocell unit or a motion sensor so they will turn on only at night or when someone is present. A combined photocell and motion sensor will increase your energy savings even more.

#29 - Turn off the lights in any room you're not using, or consider installing timers, photo cells, or occupancy sensors to reduce the amount of time your lights are on.

#30 - During winter, open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

#31 - Take advantage of daylight by using light-colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room while preserving privacy. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight.

#32 - If your air conditioner is old, consider purchasing a new, energy-efficient model. You could save up to 50% on your utility bill for cooling. Look for the ENERGY STAR® and EnergyGuide labels.

#33 - Consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use.

#34 - Keep in mind that insulation and sealing air leaks will help your energy performance in the summertime by keeping the cool air inside.

#35 - Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.

#36 - 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 excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.

#37 - Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

#38 - Take short showers instead of baths.

#39 - Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° F.

#40 - Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer's advice.

#41 - Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.

#42 - Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

#43 - Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads.

#44 - By resetting your programmable thermostat from 72 degrees to 65 degrees for eight hours a day (for instance, while no one is home or while everyone is tucked in bed) you can cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent.

#45 - Properly maintain and clean heating equipment.

#46 - Weatherize your home—caulk and weatherstrip any doors and windows that leak air

#47 - Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units but not to block the airflow. Place your room air conditioner on the north side of the house. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.

#48 - You might qualify for tax credits or rebates for buying a solar water heater. Visit our State Incentives Page and see.

#49 - Insulate your hot water pipes, which will reduce heat loss and can raise water temperature 2ºF–4ºF hotter than uninsulated pipes. This allows for a lower water temperature setting.

#50 - Consider buying a laptop for your next computer upgrade; they use much less energy than desktop computer