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Take these simple steps to reduce your household energy use in all seasons.

 Year-Round

• If your furnace or air conditioner has an air filter, clean or replace it once a month. 
• Test your hot water temperature at a faucet with a thermometer. If the temperature is over 130 degrees, turn down the temperature gauge on your water heater. 
• Wash clothes in cold water and hang dry whenever possible. 
• Substitute a grill or small appliances, such as toasters, crock-pots, and microwaves, for your oven or stove. 
• Insulate your water heater tank. 
• Take showers, which use less hot water than baths. 
• Run your dishwasher only when it is full. 
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with new compact fluorescents. They use about one-third the energy and last up to ten times longer. 
• Check door gaskets on your refrigerator to make sure they are sealing tightly. Repair or replace them if they are torn or broken. 

In Winter

• Avoid using portable electric space heaters. 
• Set your thermostat to 68 degrees (or as low as comfortable) when at home. Set the temperature back another 5-10 degrees at bedtime and while away from home. Consider purchasing a programmable thermostat that will automatically do this for you. 
• Wear a sweater or extra layers of clothing; stay warm at night with extra blankets or an electric blanket. 
• Close off rooms that are not used. Do not close off or block heat-delivery or return-air vents as this may reduce the efficiency of your heating system. 
• Open drapes and shades on south-facing windows during sunny days in the winter. Keep all drapes closed at night. 

In Summer 

• Consider an evaporative cooler or whole house fan, instead of central air conditioning. 
• Use ceiling fans and oscillating fans in conjunction with or instead of your air conditioner during hot weather. Air conditioning can account for more than half of your summer electric bill. 
• Raise your thermostat settingto 78 degrees. Set the temperature to 85 degrees while away from home. Consider purchasing a programmable thermostat that will automatically do this for you. 
• Close off rooms that are not used. 
• Close off cooling vents to the basement. 
• Close drapes, shades and blinds to block the sun. 
• Open windows for ventilation at night or anytime the outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature.

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