Energy Saving Tips

Energy Saving Tips

Are you trying to make smart energy choices?

Test your Energy IQ test here. We can help you save energy and money every day. Follow as many of these easy home energy savings tips as you can and share them with your friends and family.

Managing your monthly usage


Start by looking at how you use natural gas. Here are some tips to help you get the most value for your energy dollar. 

  • Turn down your thermostat. You can save as much as 3% for each degree that you turn your thermostat down during the winter. If you can be comfortable with, and your health permits, a slightly cooler home, lower the thermostat by a couple of degrees and save even more. Don't forget to turn down your thermostat when you are not home and at night when you go to bed.
  • Take care of your furnace. Have your furnace cleaned and checked out every year to keep it running at peak performance. Clean and replace the air filter on your furnace regularly. A dirty or clogged filter will use more energy and heat more slowly.
  • Let the heat circulate. Check your furniture, curtains and drapes and area rugs to make sure they are not blocking heat registers and vents. If you have a ceiling fan, use it to push the warm air down from the ceiling.
  • Keep the cold out. Close your blinds or drapes when it gets dark outside to help cut heat loss through your windows at night. If your blinds or drapes don't completely cover your windows, consider putting up plastic sheeting for insulation day and night.
  • Cook smart. If you cook with gas, adjust the flame to fit your pans. Opening the oven door unnecessarily can cause a drop of up to 50 degrees in the oven temperature, so don't open the oven door unless you have to.
  • Turn down the tank. You can reduce your energy consumption by turning your hot water tank down to 120° F. For every 10 degree reduction in temperature, you can save between 3% and 5% on your water heating costs. Insulating your hot water pipes and installing a water heater insulation blanket on your tank will also help reduce your natural gas consumption and save you money.
  • Think before you wash and dry clothes. Wash and dry only full loads of laundry and use the cold water setting on your washer. If you have to wash a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting. Consider using a clothes rack or indoor clothesline to dry clothes. If you do use your dryer, be sure to clean the lint screen in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation for more efficient clothes drying and to prevent fire hazards.

Source: NH Department of Energy 


Other energy saving tips


Lighting

  • Turn off lights whenever you leave a room or don’t need them.
  • When you’re away from home, use a timer to turn lights on and off automatically.
  • Replace your incandescent light bulbs, both indoors and outdoors, with ENERGY STAR® certified light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which use up to 90% less energy and lasts up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. For additional savings, use dimmable LEDs.
  • Use task lighting over desks, tables and workbenches.
  • Take advantage of natural light whenever possible.
  • When turning off a dimmer switch, make sure it’s completely in the off position – not just turned down.
  • Use LEDs in holiday lighting displays. They use 90% less energy and last up to 50,000 hours.


Washer and dryer

  • If you’re replacing your washer, choose an ENERGY STAR® certified model with front-loading or horizontal axis features.
  • Wash clothes in cold or warm water rather than hot, and rinse in cold water.
  • Fill your washer and dryer to capacity whenever possible. Wash smaller loads using lower water levels.
  • Hang your clothes to dry whenever possible.
  • Clean your dryer’s lint filter after each load, and clean the outside vent regularly.


Dishwasher

  • When buying a dishwasher, look for an ENERGY STAR® certified model with features like air power drying and overnight drying settings.
  • Scrape dishes instead of rinsing them prior to loading. If you prefer rinsing, use a sink or pot filled with cold water, rather than hot running water.
  • Be sure that the dishwasher is full, but not overloaded.
  • Keep all drains and filters clean.
  • Use the air-drying option instead of heat drying. Or better yet, turn off the drying cycle, open the dishwasher and let the contents air dry.


Oven and range

  • Don’t line oven racks with foil. It blocks heat flow.
  • Use a kettle rather than a pot to boil water. If using a pot, keep the lid on.
  • Allow frozen meats to thaw completely before cooking.


Water use

  • Turn off the tap when you shave or brush your teeth.
  • Set your hot water heater at 120° F. (Many are preset at 140° F).
  • Replace washers on leaky faucets. A steady drip can add up to many gallons wasted every month.


Insulation

  • Install wall-outlet and switch-plate gaskets to reduce the flow of cold air.
  • Install storm windows, or purchase window insulator kits to reduce drafts.
  • Be sure your home’s insulation meets U.S. Department of Energy specifications for your geographic area, and that ceilings, walls, and floors over unfinished crawl spaces are all properly insulated.
  • Insulate hot water pipes.
  • Install storm doors to reduce heat transfer to the outside.


Heating and cooling

  • Have your heating equipment periodically checked by a service professional.
  • Dust or vacuum radiator surfaces and vents frequently and keep them unobstructed.
  • Keep insulated drapes or shades closed in summer and open on sunny winter days. Close curtains or drapes on winter nights to reduce heat loss.
  • Close fireplace dampers when not in use to keep heated or cooled air from escaping up the chimney.
  • Set the thermostat as low as comfort permits. Each degree above 68º F can use 3% more energy.
  • Install programmable or wi-fi thermostat to automatically control heating and cooling.
  • Clean or replace furnace filters periodically, and have your furnace burner checked and cleaned annually.
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