Energy Tips

Water Heating Tips
1. Set water heater temperature no higher than 120 degrees. For households with 1 or 2 members, a 115-degree setting may work fine.
2. Install water-heater wrap per manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Drain 1 - 2 gallons from bottom of water heater each year to reduce sediment build up.
4. Install heat traps on hot and cold water lines when it’s time to replace your water heater.
5. Insulate exposed hot water lines.
6. Limit shower length to 5 - 7 minutes.
7. Install low-flow shower heads.
8. Fix dripping faucets.
9. Don’t let water run while you are shaving or brushing your teeth.
For more energy saving advice, download the brochure "101 Easy Ways to Save Money and Energy."
Kitchen Tips
1. Use your refrigerator's anti-sweat feature only if necessary.
2. Switch your refrigerator's power-saver to "ON", if available.
3. Clean refrigerator coils annually.Set the refrigerator temperature to 34 - 37 degrees and the freezer temperature to 0 - 5 degrees.
4. Ensure gaskets around door seal tightly.
5. Unplug unused refrigerators or freezers.
6. Use microwave for cooking when possible.
7. When cooking on the range, use pot lids to help food cook faster.
8. If you are heating water, use hot tap water instead of cold.
9. Remember to use the kitchen exhaust fan when cooking and turn it off after cooking.
10. Let hot food cool before storing it in the refrigerator.
11. Rinse dirty dishes with cold water before putting them into the dishwasher.
12. Use cold water for garbage disposal.
13. Only run dishwasher when fully loaded.
14. Use air-dry cycle instead of heat-dry cycle to dry dishes.
For more energy saving advice, download the brochure "101 Easy Ways to Save Money and Energy."
Laundry Tips
1. Wash clothes in cold water. Use hot water only for very dirty loads.
2. Do only full laundry loads. If you must do smaller loads, adjust the water level in the washing machine to match the load size, especially when using hot water.
3. Always use cold-water rinse.
4. Use bath towels at least twice before washing them.
5. Clean your dryer’s lint trap before each load.
6. Make sure that the outdoor dryer exhaust door closes when dryer is off.
7. Verify dryer vent hose is tightly connected to inside wall fitting and to the dryer. Make sure the hose is not kinked or clogged.
8. Minimize clothes drying time; use moisture sensor on dryer if available.
9. Dry consecutive loads to harvest heat remaining in dryer from last load.
10. Consider using a "solar-powered" clothes dryer - an old fashioned clothes line.
For more energy saving advice, download the brochure "101 Easy Ways to Save Money and Energy."