Heating
- Set your thermostat to 68°F when away and at night
- Add heavy window treatments to windows. Keep open on sunny days and close at night
- Service heating system annually
- Install a “smart thermostat”
- Operate ceiling fan in reverse mode on low speed when rooms are occupied and with ceiling heights over 10 feet
Cooling
- Set your thermostat to 78°F when at home and at night, 85°F when away
- Close window treatment during the day on windows that receive direct sunlight
- Service cooling system annually
- Operate a ceiling fan anytime a room is occupied
Insulation, Air Ducts
& Air Leaks
- Check ceiling insulation thickness and add additional insulation if less than 6 inches thick
- Insulate crawlspace floors
- Insulate and weather-strip attic access covers and pull down ladders
- Change the return air filter monthly
- Have your heating and cooling contractor inspect and pressure test your air duct for leaks or damaged insulation
- Unblock and fully open supply air vents
- As much as possible, keep interior doors open to provide good air circulation
- Maintain open space around return air filter openings
- Seal cracks and gaps around plumbing, wiring, windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping
Hot Water Usage
& Settings
- Insulate hot water tank and exposed water lines
- Set both water heater thermostats to 120°F
- Check for water leaks and repair immediately
- Install low flow shower heads with a flow rate of 2 gallons per minute or less
- Wash clothes in cold water
- Take a 10 minute or less shower instead of a bath
- Install on/off faucet aerators on your faucets to reduce wasted hot water
Appliance Replacement
& Lights
- Look for the EPA EnergyStar label when purchasing new appliances
- Replace electric storage Water Heaters with a Heat Pump Water Heater
- Only use LED Light bulbs
- Turn off the lights when you leave a room
Computers
& Electronics
- Set computers to sleep mode when not in use
- Use “smart power strips” to eliminate plug-in appliance standby power use